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Thanksgiving Cross-Country Classic

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Location:

Tucson,AZ,USA

Member Since:

Aug 30, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

PR's

5K: 21:26 (2005)

4 mile: 28:10 (2005)

10K: 43:33 (2010)

10 mile: 1:13:35 (2009) (1:12:15 split in 1/2 marathon, 2011)

1/2 marathon: 1:34:31 (2011)

marathon: 3:19:15 (2013)

Short-Term Running Goals:

 

3:20 marathon - Eugene Marathon, April 28, 2013 (can I say I really want a sub 3:20? but I will be happy with 3:20-3:23) -- whoohoo!

Some good intermediate races 15K - 1/2 marathon, to gauge my fitness level (done this, hit a 1:34:35 1/2 marathon in March 2013, on a hilly course)

Going after my 10 mile PR in Fall 2013

Maybe some good 10K races after the infernal Arizona summer is over! 




Long-Term Running Goals:

I want to be one of those runners who is still running in their 80s (or 90s?).  You know the ones, who look all grisley and fit?  That is what I would like!  Until then, I just want to work hard and be as fast as I can, for as long as I can.


Personal:

50 year old, trying to defy gravity and time

Used to be faculty at the University of Arizona (biostatistics).  Currently manager of the statistics and data management group for companion diagnostics (biomarkers) at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Roche diagnostics).  We evaluate protein biomarkers that can be used to direct drug therapy that would be most effective based on individual characteristics (personalized medicine).

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Race: Thanksgiving Cross-Country Classic (3.1 Miles) 00:23:00, Place in age division: 2
Easy MilesThreshold MilesMarathon Pace MilesTrack speed mileageHill mileageTotal
5.000.000.003.100.008.10

WOW!! This was one of the hardest and most fun races I have ever done! So, it rained all night last night and into the start of the men's race (first they ran the men's race and the women were the second race - they alternate every year, mainly because the second race is much harder because they tear up the course); there were about 1200 people total between the two races. The course was a double loop, with only two hard hills but two hay bale jumps on the backside (so you hit them each twice) and then a double hay bale jump + two water jumps of about 5 ft over about 50 yards directly on the bottom of a steep up and down hill (you hit this twice too) and there was on "rock jump" (you had to jump on a rock to cross a creek. The course probably would have been "moderately hard" course if it had been dry - because of the rain we had *3* calf-level creek crossings (one ended being about 25 yards in the creek) -- again, we hit this twice -- but what made it so slow was the mud!!! It was so slippery up the hill (and down actually) before the double hay bale and double water jump that even when I was warming up I fell going up, after the guys were done with it the mud was ankle deep -- even 1" spikes wouldn't have helped! It was soooooo fun - I was soaking wet since it had poured during my warm-up and then I ran around the course cheering Dean and then did some strides before my race ... my shoes were soaked even before we started - so when we hit the first couple creek crossings I did not care at all. The creek crossings were actually great the second lap because the mud was packed on my shoes and they were really heavy, I was glad to wash it off!!

Anyway -- I did not run as well as I would have liked, it was slow and I did not seem to have enough confidence and I did not take off at the start the way I should have - there were only a few places where it was easy to pass people and I got stuck for the first 1/2 mile. In the end, I did finish pretty strong - I passed about 25 woman the last 1.5 miles, but the big mud hill slowed everyone down (and actually coming down was even worse, people were sliding all over the place). I have to vent -- a woman who beat me (by probably at least 20 seconds - she was faster than me) cut the course - actually a bunch of woman in front of my ran around the back course hay bales and then cut corners! I was ticked off actually, I followed the line and actually hurdled every bale! I actually ran through one of the water jumps because my shoes were so slippery I was afraid I was going to fall -- but that is not cheating -- but passing hay bales and cutting corners I feel is cheating!! It did not really matter, my splits were slow and I did not come close to throwing up -- I am disappointed in that -- but, it was fun -- I have only run a few cross-country races and this one was by far the hardest and just loved it! splits: (7:38, 7:44, 7:43 +?? I somehow missed stopping my watch in the finishing shoot -- my time was in the high 23's, i will change it when the results are posted). Dean ran about 1 min slower (so he thought) than he would have if the course were dry, so I guess I am somewhat vindicated by that logic ;-). I did win a pie.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Comments
From MichelleL on Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 19:59:56

Wow, what an adventure. Almost like a day spa with all that mud :) Too bad about the lack of vomit, maybe next time.

From Bonnie on Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 20:11:24

How did dinner go? I bet everything was yummy! I hope you had a great day Michelle, Happy Thanksgiving.

From josse on Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 21:55:02

That sounds like a blast. You really can't care about a time in something like this. You just go off how you felt, just how much fun you had. I think you did great.

From Sasha Pachev on Thu, Nov 27, 2008 at 23:24:01

7:40 or so average on this is decent. Shows you are in some kind of shape. Somehow I missed the fact that you are now in Tuscon. How did that happen?

From Lucia on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 00:04:58

Nice work Bonnie! Woohooo!!! What kind of pie did you get? Awesome! Happy Thanksgiving!

From Bonnie on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 13:25:52

Thanks Josse -- the footing made speed pretty much impossible (though the guys were blazing fast!) - it was a blast.

Happy Thanksgiving Sasha - I think the blog has gotten so big, and you and Sarah have after all, been waiting on the arrival of William, that you missed the news of our move. We moved here at the beginning of the month. I like some things about it (like my job) - but I miss the Utah winter! Thanks for the note, I feel like I am actually in the best shape of my life - we will see whether I can translate into some PR's soon!

Hey Lucia, I have not checked your blog yet, I hope the hike was fun! It was a pumpkin pie - you want a piece? we could go on some fun runs if you come out and get it!

From montelepsy on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 15:33:25

Sounds like fun. I really want to try one one day, but I'll pass on throwing up. You're a sicko! I mean that as a compliment.

From paul on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 15:33:41

Nice job, the race sounds fun! Are you still planning on running the Napa Marathon?

From Bonnie on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 15:46:50

Montelepsy -- you HAVE to try it, and I really think you should try the throwing up too ;-).

Hi Paul, it was a blast! I am still planning on either the Napa marathon or Grandma's ... both would probably be "good" first marathons. The main thing is timing -- I think that Summer in Arizona will be more of a "base" time than a "training" time -- since it is so hot so late Spring would be the best timing. I am excited! How are you feeling?

From paul on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 17:13:27

Bonnie - all in all, I'm feeling well, and am getting decent miles in. I am running the Painters Half in January, so am looking forward to that.

From Brent on Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 16:47:35

Bonnie, sounds like a blast, you are strong and tought, also dirty running deeds, without ACDC.

Stay KOOL, take a shower, B of BS Rools out

Nice running time on a tough course.

From Brent on Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 16:51:12

Bonnie, most important part, 300 muddy and wet commanod points.

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