I wanted to be at least even when I step on the starting line next Saturday in Central Park (NY) and I did it.  I ran 42:50 today at the DSE Runner's Golden Gate Park 10k.  It was a tough course too.  I am now one second in total ahead of pace.  I have three races to go including the Ted Corbitt 15k Classic on Saturday.  I will need to run 1:05:07 for 9.3 miles or 7 min/mile to stay even.  I am hoping I can run 30 seconds to a minute faster than that. It would be nice to have a buffer before the Double in Pleasanton.

I have to admit, I was not totally ready for this race.  After picking up some sores on my feet from a training run in the rain last Sunday, I was not able to train well all week.  In fact, I ran twice and walked the rest of the time.  I should not have worn new shoes in the rain.  Things like this do happen.  It is just part of running.

Ujena Fit Club member Riya Suising really helped today.  Riya was about 20 seconds ahead of me at about the three mile mark.  I pushed that mile and caught him by 4 miles.  After passing the 5 mile mark in 33:40 I was dead.  Riya came by and said to try to hang on.  I did for about a half mile before Riya pulled ahead and beat me by 10 seconds.  I am sure I would not have been under 43 minutes today if Riya had not been there.  Thanks Riya for helping me reach my goal.

I am always checking my watch at the finish line...My splits today were rather odd.  And it is not because the distances were not right.  The mile markers and my Garmin were right on.  The hills are what made it a challenge today.  First mile, 6:46, second mile had a long hill 7:02, third mile was rolling 6:52, I loved mile four all downhill 6:14 (anyone who has run Bay To Breakers know this hill), fifth mile was rolling 6:47, and then the sixth mile...all uphill and even mud near the end 7:47.  Maybe that 6:14 was a little too fast?

This challenge is coming to an end.  It has been great working with Waitman, Michael and Catherine (who is taking the photos and doing all the paperwork).  Before long we are going to have our weekends free again.  This has been a real adventure and the time has just flown by.  It is sad to see this challenge coming to an end...but I am already looking forward to the next one.  I still have three races to go...I have to stay focused to reach my goal.

Bob, what an incredible journey and adventure this year--thanks for sharing it with us. Hopefully a lot of your weekends will get booked up next year, and MAYBE a marathon????
Bruce Gilbert 12/9/12 7:13 pm

Great job. If it were easy, it would not have bee a worthy goal. This prize will have your name on it soon.
Steve Gilbert 12/9/12 7:54 pm

Great race Bob after a week of light training.
Bill Dunn 12/9/12 8:35 pm

Super race Bob, NYC here he comes!
Barry Sackett 12/10/12 3:23 am

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Got up at 5:45am to get ready to run the DSE Ferry Building 4 Miler this morning.  It was pouring down rain on the way over.  Catherine and I decided to spend Saturday night in SF (after running the Bah Humbug 5k) so we didn't have to deal with the drive up Sunday morning.  The race started at 8am.  Catherine and I like any excuse to stay in SF.  We stay at this little boutique hotel and it is like having a place in the city.  Good fun...

In any case, the DSE race was to be number 46 of the year.   I was 29 seconds off pace to average under 7 minutes/mile for my challenge after running Saturday.  I wanted to pick up another 45 seconds or so today.  On October 27 I had run the Cabo Double (10k and 5k) but I decided in advance not to count the two races because I knew I would not run well because of the heat, humidity and being on my feet for three days taking photos of our Ujena models in Cabo Mexico.

I spoke with some of the runners I know and asked them for their advice including 78-year-old Barbara (white jacket).  It was not the rain and the standing water that had me concern.  It was the wind.  It was estimated by Neil (a running friend) that their were gusts over 40 mph.  Much worse conditions than Davis a couple of weeks ago. 

I would have run this race today if my challenge is also about time.   About 25 did run.  I like running in the rain.  But the best I could have done in these conditions would have been 7:15/mile.  Maybe even worse.  In any case I would have lost one minute or more today.  Once I run the race I would have to count it.  I decided not to run.  That was so hard for me to do.  Once I set out to do something I don't like changing the plans.  Did I make the right decision? Within the hour (too bad the race didn't start at 9am), the wind died down.  It was still raining however.  I had to do a training run.  Mike and I went back to the hotel and we ran my seven mile Giants course.  We were soaked when we got back and I was glad I decided not to race today.    I might have been more like 7:30/mile pace today...

So what am I going to do? I have a 10k in Golden Gate Park next Sunday and then I am running the Ted Corbitt 15k in Central Park (NY) the next Saturday.  Then my final two races of the year is the Double in Pleasanton Dec 23 (I count the two legs as two races for this challenge).  I have to run each one well.  I really should not double up next weekend.  On October 27 (photo) I ran the Cabo Double.  And as expected I did not run well.  However, I had two races on reserve if something might happen.  I ran 21:56 for the Ujena 5k and I am now going to count that race.  

On Saturday I ran 20:52 (photo) and picked up 50 seconds.  By counting the Ujena 5k I lost 11 seconds in that race.  So now after 46 races I am 40 seconds off pace.  I have four races to go.  I was hoping to be ahead at this point.  I have to run well in Golden Gate Park on Sunday.  I should be able to make up most of the 40 seconds I am behind.  I need to run 6:53/mile pace or better.  I should be able to do that.  Then we are off to New York Dec 12.  The 15k is Saturday Dec 15.  Can I run under 7 minute pace for 9.3 miles? There is going to be a lot of pressure on me going into these final races.  This is going to be close...but I am going to do everything I can to make it happen!   Thanks for your support!!!!

Pretty nifty thinking. Since I have run the Ferry Building run under the same conditions I would say you made the right decision.
Richard Stiller 12/2/12 5:44 pm

I believe you made the wise choice. Your pressure is self-imposed. Forcing yourself to run in bad conditions with a preconceived pace in mind is inviting trouble resulting from bad decisions along the way. Keep doing the right thing and you will prevail.
Steve Gilbert 12/2/12 7:47 pm

When you made the challenge at the beginning of the year, I doubt you even thought about running conditions such as today. Regardless, your challenge was NOT to run a specific 50 races this year, but rather, run 50 races with a net pace average of less than 7 minutes. You have made it very tough on yourself but I think you made the right decision. The pressure is on but I have sincere faith in your drive to accomplish your goal.
Roger Wright 12/2/12 8:19 pm

Bob, you definetely made the right decision. I went out just after 8 AM and immediately was soaked to the bone. Going over the Highway 237 bridge the rain was hitting my face hard from the side due to the wind. I decided that if it kept up I would turn around and come home. While making the decision a guy on a bicycle came by and shouted " hard core " and we high fived. With that I decided to keep going. There was alot of flooding in the streets and several times ran through water at least 4 inches deep. I managed to run 8 miles but I looked a sight when I got home. The only reason I did it was I needed it with the Double only 3 weeks ahead. I don't want to let our team down. I've been running along time and today's run ranks in the top 5 all time for conditions. It was not racing weather.
Bill Dunn 12/2/12 8:47 pm

Thanks guys...it was a tough decision not to run. If I had not raced on Saturday...I would have raced!
Bob Anderson 12/2/12 10:47 pm

Bob, you made the right decision, always tough to step away from the starting line, but a run would have taken you out of the challenge. We are all cheering for you, good luck next weekend.
Barry Sackett 12/3/12 6:04 am

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