Not getting much sleep as I've been waking up early to watch the World Cup. If I could be a super-athlete in any sport it would be figure skating...but after that it would be soccer/football.
Running in the rain is fun!
Keep running!
Scott
20 June 2010
Easy Does It
Did a hard, fast 5 miles on Tuesday and my body said "Whoaaa! Slow it down. Give me a break here." So I took it nice and easy the rest of the week to give my legs some rest -- probably a good idea since I have a marathon coming up in a couple weeks.
Not getting much sleep as I've been waking up early to watch the World Cup. If I could be a super-athlete in any sport it would be figure skating...but after that it would be soccer/football.
Not getting much sleep as I've been waking up early to watch the World Cup. If I could be a super-athlete in any sport it would be figure skating...but after that it would be soccer/football.
16 June 2010
Vancouver Skyline 50k - race report
Amidst a little vacation to Seattle and British Columbia (seaweed hot-dogs, sushi, more sushi, cheeses, beer and more beer, salty Persian yogurt sodas, killer whales, sunshine, rainy rain forests, Shakespeare on a beach, bungee jumping, etc.) I did another 50k - the Vancouver Skyline XTC 50k.
And dogs were allowed to run, so Sadie participated in her first "official" 50k. (Vancouver is such a dog-friendly city!) Streams and creeks were plentiful and Sadie dove in whenever she had the chance. It makes me happy seeing her run.
It was a fun event with some great trails and beautiful views. This event was unique because there were no course markings on the trails. You either knew the course, or you had to print and carry several pages of turn-by-turn instructions. I only got lost twice. It was an out-and-back course, so navigation on the way back was much easier.
The climbs and rocks and roots and mud and scenic views made for a fun day:
We finished in 6:26:00. (results)
I've had a fun year racing so far. However, with the Atacama Crossing (and Boston) on the horizon, I'm going to try my hardest to minimize my racing and traveling expenses for the rest of the year. In other words, I'm not sure if I'll sign up for any new events at this time. For me, this will be a true test of will. But I do have at least two more events this year that I've already registered for and plan on attending - the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon on July 4th, and the Goblin Valley Ultra on October 23rd with my dad and sister(s).
So, looks like Sadie and I have some big running to do on our own near home this summer. Should be fun. :)
Keep running!
-Scott
And dogs were allowed to run, so Sadie participated in her first "official" 50k. (Vancouver is such a dog-friendly city!) Streams and creeks were plentiful and Sadie dove in whenever she had the chance. It makes me happy seeing her run.
It was a fun event with some great trails and beautiful views. This event was unique because there were no course markings on the trails. You either knew the course, or you had to print and carry several pages of turn-by-turn instructions. I only got lost twice. It was an out-and-back course, so navigation on the way back was much easier.
The climbs and rocks and roots and mud and scenic views made for a fun day:
Pre-race stretching.
Sadie's inexperience showing as she wanted to stay with the leaders early on.
Steep climbs.
Wet, rocky climbs.
Capilano Lake was one of the many highlights of the course.
Sadie enjoyed all the water.
Sweet single track.
Amazing views.
These rooty sections were fun.
On the home stretch.
Sadie celebrating her 1st place finish in the canine division.
We finished in 6:26:00. (results)
I've had a fun year racing so far. However, with the Atacama Crossing (and Boston) on the horizon, I'm going to try my hardest to minimize my racing and traveling expenses for the rest of the year. In other words, I'm not sure if I'll sign up for any new events at this time. For me, this will be a true test of will. But I do have at least two more events this year that I've already registered for and plan on attending - the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon on July 4th, and the Goblin Valley Ultra on October 23rd with my dad and sister(s).
So, looks like Sadie and I have some big running to do on our own near home this summer. Should be fun. :)
Keep running!
-Scott
06 June 2010
Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra
Yesterday I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra. This great event is directed by Rob and Eric. Rob was looking for some aid station help and for someone to sweep the 50k ultra. I volunteered for the sweep (a sweep plays caboose and stays as the last runner to make sure no one is left on the course) and my friend and sister took one of the aid stations.
Because I spent the entire day running/walking with the last runner, most of it was slow going. However, three runners dropped out of the race at various points and it gave me the chance to put in some speed work to catch up to the next runner.
Rob and Eric must have made a sacrifice to the running gods because it was a beautiful day to run. Yes, a beautiful day to go for a run. :)
Mt. Rainier watched over the runners.
Rivers and mountains make a good team.
Playing caboose on a long country road.
Colorful crosswalk in Orting, WA.
This bench provides a great view
of the trees five feet in front of it.
of the trees five feet in front of it.
Yep, this is the trail. :)
Out of the mountains and into Tacoma.
"Is that Scott McMurtrey!?! OMG! It is!!
It is Scott!! Scott!! Can we take a picture with you!?!"
It is Scott!! Scott!! Can we take a picture with you!?!"
Sun setting over the bay. Almost to the finish line.
At the finish line with Al and his crew.
I ran with Al for the last 12 miles or so.
Way to finish strong, Al!
I ran with Al for the last 12 miles or so.
Way to finish strong, Al!
Thanks, Rob and Eric for letting us help out. It's a great event.
I'm on vacation this week in Canada. Next stop is the Vancouver Skyline 50k next weekend.
Keep running!
-Scott
31 May 2010
Coeur d'Alene Marathon Race Report: How I Stamped My Ticket to Boston
I'm still smiling.
I'm not really a run-for-time runner (I often take 30-75 photos during a race) - that's not to say I don't care about time, it's simply never the top priority for my runs and races. But I'd be lying if I said the Boston Marathon wasn't one of my dreams, and to get into Boston I have to focus on time by running a 3:10:59 marathon (my PR is 3:34:00). A few weeks ago I thought that I should at least give it a shot to qualify for the Boston Marathon. So I gave myself a couple months to work on my speed and pacing.
The Coeur d'Alene Marathon was meant to be a test marathon to see how my legs handled actually trying to run fast. Then I'd have a few weeks to work on speed for my first "real" attempt at a 3:10:59 in July. I figured I would be close in July, and if I didn't make it then, I'd have a few months to train for an October attempt.
I had a few race strategy options for Coeur d'Alene:
Option 1 -- Beat the world record. Sure, probably not going to happen at this one, but maybe later this summer.
Option 2 -- Run at a 7:30/mile pace and shoot for a sub-3:20. This would take over 14 minutes off my PR and move me in the right direction. My PR last month was run at an 8:10 pace on a hilly course, so this option seemed reasonable.
Option 3 -- Run at a 7:17 pace (the pace I need to qualify for Boston) for as long as I can just to see what it feels like. Maybe I make it 20 miles, maybe I make it 15 miles, but I expect that I'll hit a wall hard at the end. But I'd at least know that I can run the correct pace for X miles.
I chose Option 3. And for the first time I didn't carry my camera with me during a race. Time, time, time.
I started at a brisk pace for the first mile (6:40) and felt pretty good. I hit mile 3 in just under 21 minutes and -against my better judgment- I spontaneously changed my race strategy to:
Option 4: run at a 7:00/mile pace for as long as I can. (What's the quote about guts and glory?...)
Mile 5: Just under 35 minutes...still going strong at 7-min pace. So then I made it a mini-goal to make it to mile 10 at a 7-min pace.
Mile 10: Under 1hr 10 min...still on pace. It was around here that I started running with a guy named Cory. We both had similar goals for the race: run 7-min miles for as long as we can, then hang on at the end. He was looking stronger than me when we hit the race's hills. After a mile or so I told him my goal was to make it to the half-marathon mark at a 7-min pace and that I didn't think I could hold the pace much longer than that.
Mile 15: Surprisingly, I'm still at a 7-min pace at this point. Cory's looking good too; it's great to having someone to run with so we can pace off each other.
Mile 18: For the first time, the thought crossed my mind that today was going to be the day I qualify for Boston. Though there were still over 8 miles to conquer, I was feeling extremely strong and my motivation was high.
Mile 20: I reach mile 20 just under 2:20 -- still on 7-min pace. Cory fell back and yelled to me, "Go for it!" My motivation is getting higher - with some quick math (okay, not so quick...took me about half a mile) I realized I simply needed to run the last 10k in less than 51 minutes to qualify for Boston, so I had a bit of breathing room even if my legs got tired. But my legs were still feeling strong.
Mile 25: Now I'm tired, but still keeping a 7-min pace. Legs are starting to feel like bricks, but somehow I feel like I'm floating. Tears well up in my eyes...I mean: a bug flew into my eyes...because I know that this is the day that I'm going to qualify for Boston. I finish strong.
Finish: I did it! 3:03:25 (6:59.74 min/mile); 7/403 overall; 1/22 age group (overall winner couldn't double dip); ticket stamped to Boston.
So there it is. I knew I had it in me to qualify - I just didn't expect it to be this race. I'm a happy runner right now. I'll see you in Boston next year. :)
And there's lots more running to do in the meantime.
Keep running!
-Scott
I'm not really a run-for-time runner (I often take 30-75 photos during a race) - that's not to say I don't care about time, it's simply never the top priority for my runs and races. But I'd be lying if I said the Boston Marathon wasn't one of my dreams, and to get into Boston I have to focus on time by running a 3:10:59 marathon (my PR is 3:34:00). A few weeks ago I thought that I should at least give it a shot to qualify for the Boston Marathon. So I gave myself a couple months to work on my speed and pacing.
The Coeur d'Alene Marathon was meant to be a test marathon to see how my legs handled actually trying to run fast. Then I'd have a few weeks to work on speed for my first "real" attempt at a 3:10:59 in July. I figured I would be close in July, and if I didn't make it then, I'd have a few months to train for an October attempt.
I had a few race strategy options for Coeur d'Alene:
Option 1 -- Beat the world record. Sure, probably not going to happen at this one, but maybe later this summer.
Option 2 -- Run at a 7:30/mile pace and shoot for a sub-3:20. This would take over 14 minutes off my PR and move me in the right direction. My PR last month was run at an 8:10 pace on a hilly course, so this option seemed reasonable.
Option 3 -- Run at a 7:17 pace (the pace I need to qualify for Boston) for as long as I can just to see what it feels like. Maybe I make it 20 miles, maybe I make it 15 miles, but I expect that I'll hit a wall hard at the end. But I'd at least know that I can run the correct pace for X miles.
I chose Option 3. And for the first time I didn't carry my camera with me during a race. Time, time, time.
Almost didn't get to start line in time
(got there with 3 minutes to spare)
(got there with 3 minutes to spare)
I started at a brisk pace for the first mile (6:40) and felt pretty good. I hit mile 3 in just under 21 minutes and -against my better judgment- I spontaneously changed my race strategy to:
Option 4: run at a 7:00/mile pace for as long as I can. (What's the quote about guts and glory?...)
Mile 5: Just under 35 minutes...still going strong at 7-min pace. So then I made it a mini-goal to make it to mile 10 at a 7-min pace.
Lake Coeur d'Alene is beautiful
(Photos of course taken after the race)
(Photos of course taken after the race)
Mile 10: Under 1hr 10 min...still on pace. It was around here that I started running with a guy named Cory. We both had similar goals for the race: run 7-min miles for as long as we can, then hang on at the end. He was looking stronger than me when we hit the race's hills. After a mile or so I told him my goal was to make it to the half-marathon mark at a 7-min pace and that I didn't think I could hold the pace much longer than that.
Much of the race was along Centennial Trail
Mile 15: Surprisingly, I'm still at a 7-min pace at this point. Cory's looking good too; it's great to having someone to run with so we can pace off each other.
Near turn-around point
Mile 18: For the first time, the thought crossed my mind that today was going to be the day I qualify for Boston. Though there were still over 8 miles to conquer, I was feeling extremely strong and my motivation was high.
Mile 20: I reach mile 20 just under 2:20 -- still on 7-min pace. Cory fell back and yelled to me, "Go for it!" My motivation is getting higher - with some quick math (okay, not so quick...took me about half a mile) I realized I simply needed to run the last 10k in less than 51 minutes to qualify for Boston, so I had a bit of breathing room even if my legs got tired. But my legs were still feeling strong.
Finish: I did it! 3:03:25 (6:59.74 min/mile); 7/403 overall; 1/22 age group (overall winner couldn't double dip); ticket stamped to Boston.
Happy runner
Finisher's medal and 1st place age group medal
Only one?!?
So there it is. I knew I had it in me to qualify - I just didn't expect it to be this race. I'm a happy runner right now. I'll see you in Boston next year. :)
And there's lots more running to do in the meantime.
Keep running!
-Scott
26 May 2010
I Wonder Where That Road Goes
Gear:
Water bottle
Shorts
Shoes
Sadie
Goal:
Follow an I-wonder-where-that-road-goes dirt road through the rolling hills, and explore an unmarked trail.
Result:
A great day to be alive.
Keep running!
-Scott
Water bottle
Shorts
Shoes
Sadie
Goal:
Follow an I-wonder-where-that-road-goes dirt road through the rolling hills, and explore an unmarked trail.
Result:
A great day to be alive.
A little slice of heaven (with extra frosting)
Sadie enjoying the view (of a squirrel)
Trails like this make me happy
Keep running!
-Scott
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