One of many things I have enjoyed about this challenge is meeting so many new people along the way.  Today after the race I met Ivan Medina (photo above)  He is a new member of the Ujena Fit Club and he loves our site he told me.  He is running the CIM marathon in the morning and hopes to break 2:25.  His next race after that is the Double where he hopes to run under 32 minutes for 10k and under 16:00 for the 5k leg. 

One thing that really helped was that I got in a good warm up before the race.  Here running on the trail by the starting line.

I got a couple pairs of new adidas shoes this week including a light racing flat.  It is just 6oz. Wow, I liked the feel of these new shoes.

I didn't go out as fast as I normally do. I hit the first mile in 6:43.  I was feeling pretty good but my legs did not feel fresh.  However, my breathing was better than what it has been. 

I ran the second mile in 6:40 and then the third mile in 6:46.  I was feeling good but not strong.  Last year I ran 20:36 on this course.  I picked it up the last mile.  Today I finished in 20:52.  I was 18th overall and first 60 plus. 

I met a lot of runners today including these girls from ClubSport.  ClubSport is one of our Double Road Race sponsors.  They will be at the Pleasanton Double Dec 23.

We have been looking for a Santa Claus runner and sure enough we found him.  Santa and his family will be with us at the Pleasanton Double.

And just as we were leaving these two girls told me they are running the Double too!

It was a wet weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area.  We need the rain but it does make it tough for us runners.

And even tougher on the race directors.  Mark, from On Your Mark, is working with us on the Pleasanton Double.  He has lined up a super flat and fast course for us.  Thanks Mark...I need a fast course for my last races. 

Way to go Bob! You are doing the deal.
Barry Sackett 12/1/12 5:20 pm

Great job. You have the plan in hand.
Steve Gilbert 12/1/12 5:32 pm

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I really thought I could run 20:30 5k or better today.  But it did not happen.  I had run under 21 minutes for the first 5k of the Thanksgiving Day 10k on Thursday.  I went out at about a 6:25/mile pace but then fill apart.  I hit the first mile in 6:44.  I actually thought I was over 6:50.  I miss read my watch.  Then I ran 7:02 for the next mile.  It was on gravel which doesn't work for me.  One might think that it would be easy for me to run sub seven pace on these shorter races.  Well today I thought I had fresh legs.  I had to push it as hard as I could to run 6:53/mile pace.  

I finished with 21:19.  Not what I wanted but I did pick up 27 seconds which I needed.   Three things that might explain why this was so hard.  I woke up at 3am and could not go back to sleep.  I had a slight sore throat.  I really don't race well on gravel.  Loved the course but we were on gravel for over a mile...mile two was totally on gravel.  I am not looking for excuses but trying to understand what went wrong today.  This is going to be close and I want to reach my goal.

I am now 1:21 in total behind pace.  I can make it up.  I have six races to go.

Race director Dave Rhody brought me up on stage to talk about our new event the Double Road Race coming up Dec 23 in Pleasanton.  That will be my last race of my challenge.  Thanks Dave for putting on such good events.  I have run many of them.

It was nice seeing so many people having so much fun...me too!  I hope these girls can make our Double.  They certainly bring a lot of spirit to an event.

A running friend Verity ran well today.  She was second female overall and first master.  She told me she has her team of three together for the Double.

Verity and Kevin were top master runners today.  Both will be running the Double.

Me with the top three runners today.  They ran well today!

There were 14 female runners 70 plus running today.  Barbara placed third.  She decided to enter a team for the Double.

So great to have the support of A Long Run director Micahel and crew.  Thanks Michael, Waitman, Catherine and Justin for all your support.  It helps so much.   Photos by Catherine Cross

Another 23 sec! You are still on your game plan. Run, recover, repeat.
Steve Gilbert 11/26/12 5:52 am

Tough to run an all out 10k on Thursday and come back on Sunday.
Richard Stiller 11/26/12 8:19 am

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