Re: winter wear « Result #1 on Dec 18, 2009, 1:24pm »
50and, not sure how you survive wearing cotton, even as the outer layer. Maybe its so dry up there in CO, you don't sweat as much, but my outer layer ends up soaked - even on the day when I ran and it was 24F.
When I ran in Seattle and it was 21F, I wore my Pike's Peak finishers polartec jacket, and ended up with frost all over the back.
Re: winter wear « Result #2 on Dec 18, 2009, 11:42am »
I am getting this cold weather running down pat. I wear a short sleeved tech shirt as my base. A cotton long sleeved shirt over that. Tights of course as well as gloves. Something (a fleece band) to cover the ears. Usually I end up over heated!
winter wear « Result #3 on Dec 18, 2009, 11:35am »
Wish has an article on the Runtex page about winter running. One thing that struck me is the importance of refining your winter gear.
Over the years, I've gone from loose ski pants and a wind breaker to now running wearing tights, and two tech shirts. Maybe a jacket if it drops below 32F. Also had to go through about a half dozen running gloves but now have a couple different pair that work really well.
The first time I bought tights was on a vacation in Seattle. I planned on running with the Seattle Runners Club, and got there and my luggage was temporarily lost. Went into the Seattle Running Company, an awesome store, and the guy convinced me that tights are the way to go. Didn't make sense that something that fits right against the skin would be warmer, but he said it would - and dang, he was right! Makes your legs so much more comfortable and you don't get the soreness from legs being too cold. I've already run in temps as low as 24F and in low 40s rain, so I think I'm pretty ready to just keep on training!
12/17/09 Hill Workout « Result #4 on Dec 18, 2009, 9:20am »
The group was "quality" sized tonight...the smallest group we've had in probably two years.
The Workout - Figure 8 Plus a Leg (mile repeats)
Fast Group = 3 Fun Group = 2 Severe Recovery Mode Group = 1
News - there will be a long run on Saturday departing the zero at 7 am sharp. Austin Marathon Group and HMTG are scheduled for 10. We'll be running the Barton Hills Lollipop; http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=314222. You can add trail loops in order to accomplish runs of anywhere from 7 to infinity miles. The scheduled route is Barton Hills plus Congress Ave.
Re: Call for 2010 Daisy Race Committee « Result #8 on Dec 16, 2009, 2:24pm »
Daisy is where I started volunteering for the ARC, eventually being race director a few times.
There are tasks for everybody, no matter what your experience level. It is a little bit of work, but the more folks who come to the committee, the easier it is on everybody. I've done my 6 years, but now it is YOUR TURN Come on out! Daisy is the oldest race in Austin, and since it is for runners, by runners, one of the best - IF you make it that way. Join your other runners and make this a great day.
ARC, will this race, on 3/21/10, be part of a SPRING RACE SERIES again? Do you have a roster of races for that series yet?
Tue 12/15/09 Track Workout « Result #9 on Dec 16, 2009, 11:31am »
A nice cold front blew in early Tuesday...and kept blowing in during the workout. It was cold but we (well some of us) weren't complaining!!
The Workout - Ladder - 1600, 1200, 800, 400
News - HMTG will be departing the rock today at 4ish for a recovery Scenic loop. There will be a hill workout on Thursday. There will be a long run on Saturday. Austin Marathoners are scheduled for 10. Breakfast TBA.
Congrats to all who did Whiterock over the weekend. Bring on those race reports!!
Call for 2010 Daisy Race Committee « Result #10 on Dec 16, 2009, 9:30am »
Daisy Race Committee
We are putting a call out to all our members for volunteers to be on the 2010 Daisy Race Committee. If you are interested in the behind the scenes action of what it takes to put on a race than we want you! Please email board@austinrunners.org if you are interested in helping your club put on the best race possible.
Daisy is one of the oldest races in the Austin and we are proud to organize it every year. Please volunteer your time to help make the 33rd Annual Daisy 5K the best ever!
« Last Edit: Dec 17, 2009, 10:27am by ARC Secretary »
Call for Daisy Race Committee « Result #11 on Dec 16, 2009, 9:29am »
Daisy Race Committee
We are putting a call out to all our members for volunteers to be on the 2010 Daisy Race Committee. If you are interested in the behind the scenes action of what it takes to put on a race than we want you! Please email board@austinrunners.org if you are interested in helping your club put on the best race possible.
Daisy is one of the oldest races in the Austin and we are proud to organize it every year. Please volunteer your time to help make the 33rd Annual Daisy 5K the best ever!
supposedly that's all corrected, at least for the runners times.
That is 3 years in a row, 2 different companies, with messed up results. To be a little fair, Decker is somewhat complicated, with the Brown Santa 5K, Decker Half, Decker Half Relay and DOUBLE DECKER all sharing the same start/finish, with 3 different starting times. But dang, they get paid A LOT, and it ain't like they didn't know this going in. Not to mention, at least last year when I was RD they had written instructions.
And this is the 2nd year in a row where they made the relay runners hand off a chip. Where else does that happen in a road race??!! Nowhere. That's crazy. The Zilker Relays manage to have multiple chips for a whole team. Silicon Labs was able to do it. Why can't these guys do it for Decker? Sorry for the soap box, but this makes me cranky.
Joined: Dec 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3 Location: Austin
Re: Decker « Result #13 on Dec 14, 2009, 8:37pm »
Cadence messed up the results and there were quite a few duplicate numbers. If you look at photos you can see that there was more than one number 1475.
I hope you will give us the training program, nutrition, etc for the 80 plus guy who ran a 1:40 in the cold and the rain and the hills for 13.1 miles. He is a stud dude!
Re: My Decker race results are missing « Result #17 on Dec 11, 2009, 3:35pm »
Is there a plan for distributing the awards? I think the timing caused delays and most folks left before awards were given out. Maybe plan to hand them out at the winter party or something so people don't have to make a special trip? Not asking for myself, of course, but the guys who placed might not bring it up themselves.
Thu 12/10/09 Hill Workout « Result #19 on Dec 11, 2009, 10:59am »
Relatively small group due to many in severe taper mode for marathons this weekend and, oh yeah, it was real cold out there!!!
The workout - Fartleks on the Hills - running a 1200M rectangle (one direction followed by reverse direction for a 2400M total) of Possum Trot, 8th, Meriden and 12th - starting point @ Possum Trot & 12th - change speed point every 400M @ Possum Trot & 8th and Meriden & 10th and the starting point. Confused??? Me too!!!
Good luck to Vance, Frank, Scott T., Big, TJ, Allegra, C/M, Dyana, Ryan F., Michelle R., James, Marathonman, Sandy and Al at Dallas White Rock!!!
Good luck to POJ at Tucson!!!
Doug Engle will coach up the Saturday morning Ship that will leave the zero at 7:00:00 am for a 20-miler on the trail for the HMTG & the AMTG. Non-marathoners will run 4, 7 or 10 on the trail.
Re: Email Response Time « Result #20 on Dec 11, 2009, 9:47am »
Yes, Dmmmit is correct. Please email board@austinrunners.org and someone will get back to you ASAP. I am so sorry that it has taken this long for you to get a response. We are all volunteers and with the holidays sadly sometimes our lives get int he way . Please feel free to email me directly (secretary@austinrunners.org), if you have any other questions / concerns or anything . Happy Holidays!
Re: Race Reports « Result #24 on Dec 10, 2009, 12:46pm »
Wow, great reports, gbirch and mj! Those really capture the Decker experience, IMO.
Quadzilla is a perfect name for that hill. Last year it ate my lunch on the first loop and pretty much killed the second loop before it even started. In the movies people are always running away from Godzilla, but some of us limp away from Quadzilla.
I like the strategy of keeping it on the easy side through that hill and then taking what's left for a strong finish. If nothing else, I think it makes for a much more fun experience than trying to push the limit from the very beginning. I am reminded every time I watch a race of just about any distance that the negative split almost always wins the race. In just a very few cases is an extremely strong runner able to win running from the front wire to wire, and even then they are most likely running a negative split to do it.
Re: Decker- The Double « Result #26 on Dec 10, 2009, 10:47am »
I have run Decker every year since arriving in Austin, I love the race, definitely not a race to set a PR, but a great challenge and a race shirt that is worth the cost of the entry fee (although I gotta admit, I didn't like the pale blue one from last year). This is one of the races that I plan to do every year.
This was my fourth year and I bravely (foolishly?) decided to do the double. After seeing about 25 runners start the race last year - I figured that it would be a good way of getting a high finish in a marathon, "I finished 20th in my last marathon" sounds pretty good - right? .
This year only about 16 people toed the line. I decided to do the Jeff Galloway method of taking a short walk every mile (40s or so), the first lap went ok, except for a nagging pain in my left hamstring after a few miles that fortunately didn't get any worse through the race. I finished the first lap in 1:50. Things started to get mighty difficult after turning onto Lindell Road on the second lap, my strategy went out the window and I decided to save my walk breaks for the worst part of the hills. At the end of Bloor road, I looked behind me and there was nobody in sight. Near the end of the Frontage Road, I could see a blue speck (another runner) way behind me. After the next aid station, I was really struggling, my left knee (IT band I think) was hurting as was my right calf, I didn't want to walk so much, but I felt that I could cause an injury if I pushed too hard. Gradually the blue speck got closer and closer and finally passed me on Loyola, close to Decker Road (I was the nice young man in Alex's original post). After passing a few of the half marathoners, I eventually mustered up a strong finish and was presented with my finishers medal by my 2 year old daughter who insisted on me carrying her into the main building, I honestly think it would have been easier for her to carry me, after entering the building, she proceeded to eat some of the runner's snacks and refused to massage my legs.
I finished in 4:08 which was my slowest marathon time. This was my 5th marathon, which is only 150 short of the number completed by the nice lady I was talking to after the race (who incidentally had done a 50k the day before her double decker). Overall I was disappointed that my final 7 miles or so were so slow with a lot of walking. I think that the hills were just too tough for me, it seems that I can push through the hills ok on the half, but not the full. How the top few guys managed to run the whole race is 7 minute miles or so is beyond me. Overall though, I had a great time and I'm happy to have completed the legendary double decker. I'll be back next year, but no plans to do the double.
Re: Race Reports « Result #28 on Dec 10, 2009, 10:31am »
Nice job GBirch. NOW, I know what you look like Coulda said, "Hey, I'm gbirch from the forum". Sorry, I think I was lecturing about training right about that point
Negative splits on Decker happen so rarely that once we offered extra prize money to the winners if they did that. Of course that was a year of a 30mph north wind, so they ALL negative split
Re: Race Reports « Result #30 on Dec 9, 2009, 10:21pm »
The 2009 Decker Challenge Race Report Or - How to Run the Exact Same Time With Much Less Effort
The definition of Challenge this year was Cold and Wet. At the 2009 Decker Challenge on Dec. 6th, the temperature was a brisk 40°, and 120% humidity. You couldn't really call it rain, and not quite fog, but it only took a few minutes of standing outside to get completely soaked.
Luckily, the pre- and post-race activities took place inside the Banquet Hall of the Travis County Expo center, where everyone (participants and spectators) could stay relatively warm and dry. The hall was packed at 7:15am when I got there with my entourage. My sister, who PR'd that day by 4 minutes, was running a little bit late (she had her 2 kids with her, and our niece was babysitting them, but it would take too long to explain everything about that.) We thought we still had plenty of time. What we didn't expect was having to wait in line for 15-20 minutes to pickup our timing chips. I wanted to catch the start of the Double Decker to cheer on some friends who are even more crazy than the rest of us, but I missed it. I'm not upset at how that was organized, as I like to get to all my races early just in case something like that happens, but usually the timing chips are already ready before the day of the race.
After getting the timing chip and finding a spot next to a wall to stash our gear, I had about 20 minutes to relax, use the port-o-let, and get my mp3 player cued and ready. I had my running shoes on, my running socks, my running shorts, a running shirt underneath my tie-dyed T-shirt (I wear it in all my races, so people can find me easily), my running hat, plus ear warmers and gloves. I was ready to go. My sister and I went outside just a couple minutes before the race started - in time to hear the last of the National Anthem.
There was no time at all to warm-up before the race. That was fine with me, as my plan for this Half Marathon was to treat it as a training run, or at least go easy and finish strong. The first mile would be the warm-up. I wanted to take it really easy the first 2-3 miles, and I certainly did. I chatted with a couple of other runners, including Jamie, a woman who ran the Distance Challenge last year. When she saw me, she said, "Hey, its the tie-dyed guy!" She said she was taking it easy, too. I got my music going, and settled into a leisurely 8:30ish pace.
My first mile was 8:28, over a minute slower than last year's first mile. Mile 2 was 8:33 and I wondered if I was falling asleep. That portion of the race up Decker Lane is so different from the rest of the course. It has hills, but it is so long and straight for almost 3 miles, it seems like it takes forever. I guess those downhills were fast, because as I was coming up to the mile 3 marker, I was at 8:05. Oops, too fast. I slowed down a bit, and tried to take longer strides without increasing my speed. At mile 4 - at exactly an 8 minute mile - I was almost 3 minutes slower than the same point last year. I thought an 8 minute mile was still too fast, so I actually walked a few steps at the water station, and relaxed a bit.
I may have relaxed too much, or maybe the markers for 4 and 5 were not exact, because mile 5 was 9:14. That's slower than most of my workouts. As I was speeding up to make up for that, I saw "dmmmit," the guy who posts on the Austin Runners Club forum (and former Race Director for the Decker Challenge.) He has no idea who I am, but when I caught up to him, I said, "Hey! You're that guy I know! With the custom Decker shirt, and the ARC forum and stuff!" He said, "Yea, that's me," and went right on talking to his running buddy. He still probably has no idea who I am, but its just possible he might remember some crazy dude in a tie-dyed shirt saying Hello.
Just before that silly little hill, you know, the one that goes straight up, I caught up to a woman who says she is a running coach. She was also doing the race as a workout. I can't recall meeting so many people in a race who were "just doing a workout." Then again, its probably the first half-marathon race I've ever done "just as a workout." As we were about to climb the silly little hill, I asked her if it was better to lean forward and use your quads on a steep hill, or to lean back and use your hams and glutes? She said to lean back and save your muscles for the long run. I've run and biked that hill many times, so I knew what to expect. I tried staying upright, and it worked just fine, but I was definitely breathing hard before reaching the top. The Coach handled it fine herself, and we played tag back and forth for the rest of the race, although she eventually pulled and stayed ahead, and beat me pretty easily by at the end. (Just a workout, right?!?)
By mile 6 (8:11) I was finally awake, and had to decide if I was going to pick things up or continue at "workout" pace. Well before this point, I had lost the mental capability to do simple math in my head, and I could not recall any of my splits from last year's race. All I knew was that mile 8 had a brutal hill, as well as 9 and 10, and that those hills kicked my butt last year. I had plenty of time to think about it, and as I cruised down to mile 7 (8:12) I still felt really good. I prepared myself mentally to tackle that hill on the access road to the 130 tollway, and tried to keep my position vertical. My breathing was certainly going harder now, but my legs felt fine. The mile marker for 8 came up and my watch said 7:50, my first sub-8-min mile for the day. I would have enjoyed that more if the hill didn't get harder after that point!
I waved at Santa after turning the corner at the top of that hill, and as I caught my breath, I realized I still had plenty of fuel in my legs. It was around this point I opened up my package of Cola-flavored shot blocks and chewed on a couple of those. I was listening to a good song, just cruising down the next hill, and as I passed a guy, he asked if I was OK? I didn't know if I was breathing loudly or what. I told him I had planned on taking it easy today, but that I was making good time, darnnit, and now I had to actually work hard so I wouldn't waste it. I know he passed me, then I passed him again, but I can't recall if he ended up pulling ahead. Mile 9 was 8:06, and I knew the hill with mile 10 in the middle (fondly known as Quadzilla) was coming up fast. Once again, I focused on my breathing, and standing up straight, and passed the 10-mile marker with an 8:24.
That hill is a real kicker. I was quite winded when I reached the top, and I wondered for a moment if maybe I should throttle back and relax the rest of the race. But, that was only a fleeting moment, as by the time I caught my breath, I felt fine again. I knew that the little rolling hills coming up were not to be ignored, but I had no cramping or any pains whatsoever. My mile time for number 11 was 8:43, definitely affected by that dang Quadzillal. Around then, I caught up to a woman who asked me if I did the Run for the Water 10-Miler a few weeks ago. I said I did, and she said she remembered my tie-dyed shirt, and had tried to catch me at that race. I said that was neat, and that I liked wearing the shirt because it stood out like a beacon, especially in photos. I thought she looked faster than I felt, but soon I pulled away as the hills got smaller.
The slower mile motivated me a bit more, and I picked up the pace again. I knew the end was coming closer, and I felt great. I caught up to Judy, another fellow Distance Challenge/Sprint Series finisher. She and I have run almost a dozen races together, and we're just about the same pace. This was her first Decker, and she looked strong as we passed mile 12 (8:29.) I asked her if she needed me to hang with her, but she said to go on ahead. I remembered that the last mile was deceptively hard. As I turned the corner onto the grounds, my legs finally started to feel heavy. Not crampy or painful, just sluggish. I was trying to speed up, but it didn't seem to work. I could tell by my breathing that it was indeed a sneaky hill. I still had no idea how close I was to my time from last year, but I knew that I felt good. I finally got to the flat part, and Mile 13 was 7:57 (my 2nd fastest mile of the day). I pushed hard that last 0.1 mile in 0:37!
It was great to be done! My friend Judy finished less than a minute behind me, and we walked into the heated hall to recover. When the times were finally posted, and I saw that I finished in 1:48:55, I realized that I was really close to last year's time. If I had planned to actually run this as a race, and to try to beat my time from last year, I definitely would have used a different strategy, but who knows if that would have been good? However, my goal to go easy the first 10 and speed up if I could seemed to work out great. I feel jazzed about having negative splits on a race where the biggest hills are in the second half. I also felt great that I didn't cramp up, and that I still had a little energy to spare.
By the time I wandered around the floor for food and drink, it was after 10am. I had thought the Kid's K was going to start at 10:15, but apparently they started early. I didn't get to see my niece run her One-K, but I caught up to them right after. I talked to some other folks about their run, how well we did and what our next races were going to be. The kid and I played inside until it was time to go see my sister finish.
My sister came in just under 2:53, a new PR for her, and 4 minutes faster than last year. Not only that, but she looked MUCH stronger at the finish. I'm super proud of her for finishing this race, and I'm also proud of her 6-year old daughter for coming out to support her mommy, and running the Kids K. What a great way to teach the young ones what a healthy lifestyle is all about!
It was cold and wet and miserable and I had a fantastic race! All the participants (kids and adults) earned their medals for taking on the 2009 Decker Challenge. Next stop: The Runtex 20 - previously my worst race ever!
Re: My Decker race results are missing « Result #31 on Dec 9, 2009, 9:28am »
Hello all! First of all, THANK YOU for your time and understanding. We have found the issue and everyones correct times should be posted by the end of the day. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and confusion. If you have any other questions please feel free to reply to this thread or email board@austinrunners.org and someone will get back to you ASAP. Thanks again!
Re: My Decker race results are missing « Result #32 on Dec 9, 2009, 5:38am »
Steve,
I saw you on both loops and at the finish, so no question you ran the whole thing. Please email decker@austinrunners.org to let them know that your results are not right. I'm sure they will fix it for you.
Tue 12/08/09 Track Workout « Result #33 on Dec 8, 2009, 9:47pm »
After bitter cold experiences on Saturday and Sunday...the weather warmed up just in time to thaw the ship out for a sweet track workout!
The Workout - Jimi 1600s (2 times your marathon goal converted from hours/minutes to minutes/seconds...a 3:30 marathon time equates to 7:00 minutes per Jimi 1600)
Fast Marathon Group = 5 Fun Marathon Group = 4 Fast Group = 3 Fun Group = 2 Severe Taper Mode Group = 1 or so
News - DWRMTG will NOT be doing Scenic tomorrow at 4ish. They will instead be running 3 miles on the trail at 4ish. There will be a hill workout on Thursday. There will be a long run on Saturday. Austin Marathoners are scheduled for 20 on the trail. Non-marathoners can go 4, 7, or 10. Breakfast TBA.
Congrats to Heather & Jerie (Vegas baby, yeah!), everyone who ran Decker, and THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered at the ship Decker water stop!
Thu 12/03/09 Hill Workout « Result #34 on Dec 8, 2009, 9:45pm »
Cold, cold, cold. It felt good after warming up a bit but it was cold!
The Workout - Quality (from the bottom of the hill at 12th and Possum Trot , up the hill, left on Norwalk, stop at Norwalk and Marlton. Turn around and recover on the way back to the bottom). I figure each uphill was just shy of a quarter so a round trip is just short of a half.
News - There will be a long run on Saturday. It's going to be COLD!! 4, 7, or 10 on the trail this week. Breakfast at Sandy's mansion at 9:00:00 (please RSVP if you haven't already).
Good luck to Heather and Jerie running Las Vegas this weekend! Good luck to everyone taking on Decker! Huge "thank yous" to everyone who is volunteering at the Ship water stop!
Re: My Decker race results are missing « Result #35 on Dec 8, 2009, 7:54pm »
I ran the double decker and signed up online. When I lined up at the start I realized that i didn't have a yellow number like the other double deckers. After the race My results were not listed? I tried to email cadence sports, but now it looks like I DNF the race.
Re: Race Reports « Result #36 on Dec 8, 2009, 4:51pm »
Its funny. Gremlin and I set up that course, including the addition of the Driveway of Eternity I never really thought it too bad, at least until I had to run it for real. I ran part of it last year running Gremlin in at the end of her DOUBLE, but I was thinking about her, not the course. Got reminded of the long gradual uphill last Sunday, for real.
Ya gotta give us some kind of credit. We managed to have a 5K, Half Marathon and Marathon all use the same start/finish line. You wouldn't believe how many iterations of courses we went through. It's just hilly all over out there!
Joined: Nov 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 154 Location: Austin (Steiner Ranch)
Re: Race Reports « Result #37 on Dec 8, 2009, 1:58pm »
I was glad to make it out to Decker. Didn't think my training lately was good enough to get me out there, but managed to get through the Half and not feel too terrible. I was a little more than 20 min slower than last year, but, considering my poor training lately, I was happy with my time.
Huge thanks to the volunteers that stood out in the cold and drizzle to hand out water and sports drink!!!
I always forget about the Driveway of Eternity at the end of the course. Man, that last bit of the course seems like about 5 miles.
Joined: Nov 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 130 Location: Round Rock
Re: Race Reports « Result #39 on Dec 8, 2009, 9:20am »
Great job Sue. You're not likely to see a tougher half in these parts than Decker.
I decided to run this one as a training run since I live in Round Rock, but HAD to go to a party (I just had to) in Circle C the night before, then I had a 3.5 mile warm up so I could be cold and wet at the race start.
Ran with a friend of mine who has fallen off the running wagon since the Longhorn 1/2 Ironman, so we set out to run 9:30's. Seemed like a good respectable training pace, until at mile 12 that speed walker tried to pass us.
So we picked it up a little for the last mile because although, yeah, he's fast, we couldn't have a walker beat us.
Ended up pacing 9:32 for the first 10k and 9:32.1 for the total race so we were consistent if nothing else.
But yeah, it was cold and wet, and running wasn't changing that and by the end everything was tightening up. Thank God for the post-race massage. Even after the race I couldn't get warm.
Re: Decker- The Double « Result #40 on Dec 7, 2009, 9:24pm »
Ok, you had a bad day in SA. You were having a great day at the Frankenthon (in what was supposed to be a hard training run--not a BQ, right?) and pulled up late with an injury. And you made the right choice stopping when you did. Now you conquered the DOUBLE as well. As Gremlin noted, there aren't many in that club. That is a pretty good fall of "fun runs".
I hope to try it next year, but I honestly doubt my ability to make the turn and head back out--so you're one up on me for sure.
Yes, I look forward to seeing you and Hillbetty in Kingwood for a solid run and a good way to start the new year.
Re: Decker- The Double « Result #41 on Dec 7, 2009, 6:35pm »
dude, you're screwed. You used the N word. The only thing worse than publicly saying you'll "never" do a race, is to do it right on the site. Hopefully you didn't do that!? Might as well pre-register for next year
Re: Decker- The Double « Result #42 on Dec 7, 2009, 6:31pm »
Edits : My mistake It came back in '07 not 97 & as the double of a 20k , 24.9'ish not 22.4 as I originally wrote. My fingers & brain are as sore as my legs.
Thanks all, I need a solid effort after the last 2 disasters at Frankenthon & San Antonio. See you jg3rd in Kingwood soon!
Re: Decker- The Double « Result #45 on Dec 7, 2009, 5:01pm »
Wow Alex. That is pretty darn strong. After SA and all the other races this year, to drop in 5 days out and complete the race (and not walk those hills) is pretty awesome. Well done sir.
Decker- The Double « Result #46 on Dec 7, 2009, 4:38pm »
aka , The Never Say Never Marathon
This race as a Marathon never sounded appealing after sweating,grunting,fighting the elements off & on for this race since '96 from distances ranging from 11.2 miles to a 25K over the years. I could never imagine going out Decker Lane for a second loop.
Fast forward to 2009. After seeing the Double come back as the Double of 24.9 in '07 & then last year of the full Marathon & seeing the small field willing to tackle it, I really thought that would be tough. The extension of the tight time limit to 5.5 hrs made this appealing all of a sudden knowing even a bad day , I could squeak in under that time limit barring unseasonably warm temps.
I kept a close eye on the weather leading up to this race not wanting another San Antonio Marathon disaster of 3 weeks ago, being a pukefest at the end due to high humidity & temps. About 5 days out my mind was made up to register & give the 2 loop course a try as a hard training effort.
I'm a Polar Bear when it comes to cold, the colder the better & this was not cold enough but close. Wet & cold combined I'm not a fan of , but take it when you can get it...did I mention San Antonio was a disaster ? So, the wet annoying time leading up to the start was not all that much fun , but time flew by & after a cold singer of the national Anthem , Evil stated that something to the effect of hats off to you Doublers & sent us on our way.
Folks took off like shots out of a cannon, so much for easing into this Monster w/ 9-10 min miles for the first 5K. My first mile was 8:43 , but felt effortless, I looked back & I think maybe 1 or 2 runners were behind me....loooong day ahead. I seemed to settle back a little after mile 2 & was very comfy at 9:02.The next 9 miles were all sub 9's , but I was working harder than I thought I would be hitting the hills w/ no walking. Gremlin was working hard at mile 6 stop & that was a real good stretch for me.
The halfway point :
Coming up the driveway to complete loop 1 was horrible , I felt like my legs were in mud ! My split for the 13.1 was 1:55+ & about where I thought I'd be but not so fatigued..crap, I gotta do this all over again ! Out for loop2 I went not missing a beat but to grab a quick drink.
Going out Decker Lane again was horrible, that's such a long boring depressing stretch I couldn't wait to turn the corner by mile 17 stop. Oh yeah, potty break had to happen , no avoiding, too shy to use the bushes ! Mile 19'ish hill was tough , saw Gremilin again & she was as fresh as she was the first loop being out there in that muck, almost fell when I tripped to pick up a GU Pak, cardboard trash can do not give support when leaned on.
OK, 7+ 2 go ! I was doing all kinds of math ( which I'm bad at to see how close to 4 hrs I could get...so run a PR 10K & you're under 4....NO WAY, so recalculating that bit of a longshot goal.
Funny how you keep running numbers the more steps you take & keep making adjustments as you slow down, I needed a calculator.
After making that turn to get to Decker Lane , those rollers seemed huge, the quads were pounded & I just kept saying , if you don't walk & keep running you'll be under 4:10...maybe, things were cramping , but only for short brief periods. Seemed to take forever to get to Decker Lane , passed a nice young man that was also doing the Double & he reached out & strongly shook my hand as he walked backwards to get rid of cramps, what a nice young man, we talked after the race in the building.
Decker Lane came not soon enough & as I rounded that corner I knew it was almost over, I hate that driveway to get to the finish.....Yuuuuck ! I felt lonely as I approached the finish, but did see hillbetty & my friend Matt from S.A. to see me finish along w/ Logan & a few other folks.
Most of the race I felt like the Maytag Repairman, The loneliest guy in town.
So, after saying never , I did the Double & actually was pleased w/ my 4:07 , if not the time , the effort for the difficulty factor of the course. The other goal I accomplished was to NOT walk any of the hills on either loop. Got that done also.
Great race as always & it really was a hoot, thanks to all the volunteers who had a tougher time than the runners.
I will probably never do this again.....
Edits : My mistake It came back in '07 not 97 & as the double of a 20k , 24.9'ish not 22.4 as I originally wrote. My fingers & brain are as sore as my legs.
Re: Race Reports « Result #47 on Dec 7, 2009, 8:50am »
Amswett, CONGRATULATIONS and don't forget there is an ARC discount for 3M, first time.
Sue, awesome job. Must feel fabulous. BTW, unless you have your own personal chip, or get the disposable ones on a race bib, you'll pick up your chip on race day in all races. After the screw ups by Cadence this year, who knows what kind of chips the next ARC Board will use for 2010 Decker?
Re: Race Reports « Result #48 on Dec 7, 2009, 8:37am »
The Decker Challenge was my first half marathon. I have lost 68 lbs this year and I have only been running seriously in Austin races since Chuy's hot to trot 5k this spring. I joined the distance challenge (half track) as a way to push myself in distance and pace.
I am not a seasoned runner, but I thought the race was extremely well run, except honestly I wasn't happy about having to get the chip on race morning.
Though I carried my own water, I am grateful to the volunteers who were out there at the aid stations on that miserable morning.
The course was tough and the conditions were harsh, but that only adds to the sense of accomplishment I felt at completing the race. I will wear my Decker Challenge shirt with pride on my training runs this winter. Nice shirt, BTW.
Sorry to be a little corny, but I have come so far this year, and this race was a great way to finish it up!
Decker Candid photos « Result #49 on Dec 6, 2009, 10:40pm »
Hi Everyone,
At the Decker event today, I got some great pictures of my husband and many other runners (while waiting between my 5K finish and his Decker finish). These shots would have all been for people times before 1:50 on the 1/2 Marathon (or first time around for the Double Deckers). There are some group shots from the beginning of the 1/2 Marathon too.
The photos can be seen at the link below. They will be uploading on Sunday night, so you may not be able to see them (or all of them) until Monday morning. You should be able to right click on the link and save to your own computer.
Re: My Decker race results are missing « Result #50 on Dec 6, 2009, 8:53pm »
Yeah, my results are screwed up too. I thought my finishing time was missing too, but I eventually found my name/bib listed with the wrong time. They show me finishing over 30 minutes later than I actually did. I assume they mixed up some of the chip #s so that they're assigned to the wrong people.
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