Forums >Racing>2024 The Waltons: Racing & Training Thread
Part of TLC
Josh - Did you blank out my marathon PR Don't worry, I've tried to forget it too. That is the one I'm gunning for first. The 5km and 10km are both there for the taking because I've never run one as a goal race, just tune ups.
No, I didn't. I just thought it might be a touchy subject and of course the marathon is a different story ... . I was referring to your statement about possible cracks at the 5K, 10K, and HM PRs. It seemed to me that you think your 5K and 10 PRs are comparably soft. I don't. In my view your strongest PR (by far) is the 5K (even more so if run on a long course), so 10K and HM leave more room for improvement. Since you seem to have mental reservations about having a better HM in you I pointed towards the 10K.
Don't hurry - next AG will start 2026
Kathi, 48, from near Baltimore, MD. Was an on and off runner for quite some time. I played soccer for 2 years in high school, the running part in practice was more enjoyable than being expected to throw my body in front of a soccer ball or at someone's feet (goalie). I then picked up both road & mountain biking in college. Once I moved to north of Baltimore, in 2002 or so cycling felt like a not if, but when would I get hit by a car, so I slowly converted to running. I got more consistent with running in 2015. I haven't registered for any races yet, but am looking at doing a spring HM.
Waltons ThreadLord
Hi, I'm Frederick. I live in NJ, USA and have been running since 2014, when I was 48 (yup, late to start). My favorite distance is the half marathon, of which I've completed 46. I ran the NYC marathon this past November for the 2nd time (for my 4th marathon), but have no plans to run another any time soon. After having spent many months focused on marathon training, I'm looking forward to doing more shorter and varied distances (starting with a 5k today).
Darkwave - Having followed your medical progress, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and am glad that what you love to do will help stem the disease's progress. I love that you're already looking forward to setting a marathon best for someone with Parkinson's. I have every reason to believe you'll get it.
5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:55 (11/23); 10k 49:24 (10/22); 10M 1:29:33 (2/24); Half 1:48:32 (10/22); Marathon 4:29:58 (11/23)Upcoming races: Running is Back 10k, 5/12; Greta's Run 5k, 5/19
Mother of Cats
Thanks for the thoughts y'all, and I am a bit sorry to dump that sort of news on the thread, but there's really no good way to handle it. (I kinda wish I could just magically implant it in people's minds so they would have always known, and then we wouldn't have to deal with this whole shock thing.).
As I posted on the other thread, here's a handy guide for how to handle the topic with me (can't speak for others) if you're not sure:
Also important to know - young onset Parkinsons (what I have) is considered very different from the version that the older set gets. In particular, it progresses a lot slower. There's also a lot of variety in cases (it's said that no two cases are alike) and a lot of research and development going on. It's a very different diagnosis/prognosis today than it was 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. Those points don't get a lot of media attention because there's a big push on donations and research, and it's the sadder stories that are most helpful for that.
So...it's mainly interesting in that it creates some unique challenges when trying to run fast and still compete in races, and I'm having to figure those out.
***
Marky_Mark - sometimes our best races come from having fun.
Steve - I agree that the 5K is your strongest PR. If that wasn't a full focused effort, then you really need to take a full swing at it.
Half-Crazy - refresh me, did you pick a spring half?
Fred- how did the race go?
Josh- I loved your 2025 goal.
Everyone's gotta running blog; I'm the only one with a POOL-RUNNING blog.
And...if you want a running Instagram where all the pictures are of cats, I've got you covered.
I've had better race days, but worse too. The good news is no lingering issues from the abductor problem. On the flip side, I managed only an 8:16 pace for the 5k while five weeks ago I managed to run 7:47 pace for 5 miles. Though I wish I could understand how that happens, I've learned sometimes there are good days running and sometimes there are days that aren't as good and it's as simple as that.
DW, no official choice yet. .I am leaning towards B&A on 3/24. There is also a monthly series about 30 minutes away with a 5k, 10k and HM option that could be a back up, although the idea of a 6 out and back HM sounds really boring.
JamesD
...the idea of a 6 out and back HM sounds really boring.
My last two HMs have included 5 or 6 miles out & back with a detour or two, and they weren't that bad. The course looks a little different coming back in the opposite direction, and to the extent it's the same, it's like running the course a second time, which is always psychologically easier for me.
Of course, it may just be that I'm not easily bored, as I'm fine running 90+% of my outdoor runs in the same park where I first ran in 1977.
Post-1987 PRs: Half 1:30:14 (2019); 10K 39:35 (2019); 5K 19:12 (2017); Mile 5:37.3 (2020)
'24 Goals: consistency, age-graded PRs, half < 1:32
My last two HMs have included 5 or 6 miles out & back with a detour or two, and they weren't that bad. The course looks a little different coming back in the opposite direction, and to the extent it's the same, it's like running the course a second time, which is always psychologically easier for me. Of course, it may just be that I'm not easily bored, as I'm fine running 90+% of my outdoor runs in the same park where I first ran in 1977.
This is a 1.1 mile path around playing fields.
Hot Weather Complainer
Josh, darkwave - There must be something defective in my brain that instead of taking the compliment of the 5km time "wow, they rate that PR as the best when I haven't targeted that race" it's more like "but look at my half PR, I worked way harder for that". This is not a new thing though. I agree I'm probably better at short distances, I'm just built this way. But I really want to be better at longer distances so I guess that's why I'd rather be looked at that way.
I haven't got a plan to have a 5km cycle but if I can replicate what I did in my last Park Run on a certified course (the Asics Summer Series fits the bill), I think sub 18 is possible. These are evening races so more likely to be hot weather though
5km: 18:34 11/23 │ 10km: 39:10 8/23 │ HM: 1:26:48 9/23 │ M: 3:34:49 6/23
2024 Races:
Motorway Half Marathon February 25, 2024 1:29:55
Christchurch Half-Marathon April 21, 2024 1:27:34
Selwyn Marathon June 2, 2024
Dunedin Half Marathon September 15, 2024
3 months til Masters
Hi I'm Dan-
I used to be a regular on the boards, but am going to come back on this thread which is full of people who make conversation fun.
https://www.strava.com/athletes/44477989
I ran DIII in college XC and 800m mostly.
I'm 39 but will turn 40 in June. I run a lot of miles (Usually around 4000 a year) and focus on the marathon, but trying to push down some shorter PRs while still can. I set a 10k and half marathon PR while getting in shape for CIM on Dec 3rd 2023, along with an unofficial 10mile PR (due to race cancelation). My races this year are
01/27 dpschumacher -SJU Indoor Alumni Meet 3k
04/27 dpschumacher -Get in Gear 10k
05/18 dpschumacher -Uff Da Half Marathon or 10k
05/27 dpschumacher- Brian Kraft 5k
06/22 dpschumacher -Bjorkund Half Marathon (Master's debut)
08/28 dpschumacher -Rutabaga Half Marathon
09/08 dpschumacher -City of Lakes Half Marathon
10/06 dpschumacher -Twin Cities 10 Miler
11/03 dpschumacher -NYC Marathon*
*I have the time qualifier by ~18-20 min, I assume I'll get in if I register the first day. Sign up is end of February
I'll peak for Bjorklund Half and NYC marathon. Hope to PR in both. Half much more likely to be successful. I will have to be in ridiculous shape to PR at NYC but I think I can do it.
2023 Goals
Marathon Sub 2:37 (CIM) 2:41:18
10k Sub 35:00 (Victory 10k 34:19)
5k Sub 16:00 (Hot Dash 5k in March (16:48), Brian Kraft in May (16:20), Twilight 5000 in July and August (16:20/16:25 Both heat index 102-103F)
Sub 1:16 Half Marathon City of Lakes Half Marathon 1:15:47)
Sub 56:30 in 10 mile (Twin Cities 10 mile, Canceled due to weather, 56:35 as a workout)
2024 Goals
Sub 2:37 Marathon
Sub 1:15 Half
Sub 34 10k
Sub 16 5k
Dp - welcome, I remember you from a few years ago.
Intro - I've been running since 2011. I progressed steadily to 2015, with 2015 and 2016 my best years - three of my PRs came in that period, with my 10k PR coming.
My best years in terms of volume were also 2015 and 2016. Since then I've been a bit inconsistent with a few injuries, none major but significant enough. 2023 was a fairly disappointing year, with my best 5km being 20:34 (slow course), best (and only) 10km being 41:37, best (and only) half being 1:32:32 and best (and only) full being 3:21:05 which are quite a bit slower than my PRs and also my 40+ PRs.
The last few months of 2023 were better than most of the year, with good training and I ran 20:39 ParkRun (same slow course as 2023 best) in warm and humid conditions, so condition adjusted my best of that year.
I'm 46, so that's likely a significant reason for my decline. This year I'm going to train smart, not get injured and let the results be.
1/20 - watsonc123 - Trentham ParkRun
2/18 - watsonc123 - Wellington Round The Bays 5.5km
3/16 - watsonc123 - Trentham ParkRun
4/13 - watsonc123 - Trentham ParkRun
4/21 - watsonc123 - Christchurch Marathon
PRs: 5km 18:43 (Dec 2015), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:26:16 (Sep 2016), full 3:09:28 (Jun 2015)
40+ PRs: 5km 19:31 (Oct 2020), 10km 39:59 (Sep 2020), half 1:29:39 (Jun 2018), full 3:13:55 (Sep 2022)
2023 PRs (hope to beat in 2024): 5km 20:34, 10km 41:37, half 1:32:32, full 3:21:05
2024 PRs: 5km 20:25
Hi I'm Dan- I used to be a regular on the boards, but am going to come back on this thread which is full of people who make conversation fun. https://www.strava.com/athletes/44477989 I ran DIII in college XC and 800m mostly. I'm 39 but will turn 40 in June. I run a lot of miles (Usually around 4000 a year) and focus on the marathon, but trying to push down some shorter PRs while still can. I set a 10k and half marathon PR while getting in shape for CIM on Dec 3rd 2023, along with an unofficial 10mile PR (due to race cancelation). My races this year are 1/27 SJU Indoor Alumni Meet 3k 4/27 Get in Gear 10k 5/18 Uff Da Half Marathon or 10k 5/27 Brian Kraft 5k 6/22 Bjorkund Half Marathon (Master's debut) 8/28 Rutabaga Half Marathon 9/8 City of Lakes Half Marathon 10/6 Twin Cities 10 Miler 11/3 NYC Marathon* *I have the time qualifier by ~18-20 min, I assume I'll get in if I register the first day. Sign up is end of February I'll peak for Bjorklund Half and NYC marathon. Hope to PR in both. Half much more likely to be successful. I will have to be in ridiculous shape to PR at NYC but I think I can do it.
1/27 SJU Indoor Alumni Meet 3k
4/27 Get in Gear 10k
5/18 Uff Da Half Marathon or 10k
5/27 Brian Kraft 5k
6/22 Bjorkund Half Marathon (Master's debut)
8/28 Rutabaga Half Marathon
9/8 City of Lakes Half Marathon
10/6 Twin Cities 10 Miler
11/3 NYC Marathon*
Welcome, Dan. If you'd like me to add your races to the list at the beginning of this thread, please update them per the requested format, MM/DD YourName - Race Name. If you're fine with them just being part of your intro, that's all good too. Thanks.
Welcome back Dan! Been seeing you continuing to put in the hard yards on Strava.
Fred - one more race to add already. They've added a bunch of new events around the Rotorua Marathon, which is kind of a showpiece event for Athletics NZ. I'm gonna do the 5km (Runway5), which is on the Rotorua Airport runway, and doubles as the inaugural NZ 5km champs. It's in the evening after sunset, so should be a lot of fun (assuming it's not windy). There's a lakefront mile event on the preceding evening which is free entry for kids, and should be fun. I considered racing both that and the 5km and then thought better of it lol.
5/4 - MarkyMark - Runway5
3,000m: 9:07.7 (Nov-21) | 5,000m: 15:39 (Dec-19) | 10,000m: 32:34 (Mar-20)
10km: 33:15 (Sep-19) | HM: 1:09:41 (May-21)* | FM: 2:41:41 (Oct-20)
* Net downhill course
Last race: Runway5 / National 5k Champs, 16:22, National Masters AG Champ!
Up next: Still working on that...
"CONSISTENCY IS KING"
Welcome back Dan! Been seeing you continuing to put in the hard yards on Strava. Fred - one more race to add already. They've added a bunch of new events around the Rotorua Marathon, which is kind of a showpiece event for Athletics NZ. I'm gonna do the 5km (Runway5), which is on the Rotorua Airport runway, and doubles as the inaugural NZ 5km champs. It's in the evening after sunset, so should be a lot of fun (assuming it's not windy). There's a lakefront mile event on the preceding evening which is free entry for kids, and should be fun. I considered racing both that and the 5km and then thought better of it lol. 5/4 - MarkyMark - Runway5
I guess a race on a runway is pretty straight, except for the turnaround (I imagine there aren't a lot of 5,000m long runways around). Are they kind by making the turns long and gradual, such as on a track, or is it a sharp 180º around a cone?
Yeah it looks like the runway is around 2km long. The turns look like they've been graduated as it looks like the course goes around the outside of the runway, and there's a little extra loop around the taxiway about halfway along on the way back to get it up to 5km. It should be a pretty quick course, unless it's windy.