My first full year of running, 2013, saw increases in both distance
and speed. I ran my first half marathon, my first 10K, and took part
in a fun 50K relay in November, running one-fourth of the total distance.
Races in 2013
Parkinson’s Half Marathon Glacial Drumlin Trail, Cottage Grove
April 20, 2013 at 8 am
12.77 mi / 1:59:06 (9:20 pace)
Course, measured using GPS, was actually 1/3 mile short. ~
Started feeling numbness in both arms at mile 11. Had to walk some of the
last hill. But I finished in good time! (I later learned that I had been
underhydrated; I drank 40 fl. oz. of water in the next 90 minutes and
improved quite a bit.) ~ Finished 182nd of 358 overall, 98th of 157
among males, and 6th of 14 among males 55–59. (read full
report on ookingdom.com)
Milton Independence 10K Milton High School
July 4, 2013 at 8:30 am
6.16 mi / 54:24 (8:50 pace)
This was my first 10k and also the first race I really did right.
Everyone started way too fast; a lot of people passed me in the first
2 miles, but I passed other people for the rest of the race (especially
on the uphill portions) and finished strong! Melissa, a coworker at
Woodman’s, told me about the race; she ran well and finished
only 20 seconds behind me.
Run Against Crime 5K Downtown Janesville
August 6, 2013 at 7 pm
3.13 mi / 28:03.90 (8:58 pace)
This was a fun run despite the warm, humid weather. I felt pretty good
throughout, had enough strength left for a kick at the finish, and some
energy to spare. Just like the Milton Independence 10K, most everyone started
out too fast. No one passed me after mile 1, but I gradually passed quite
a few myself. ~ Finished 3rd of 7 among males 50–59.
Labor Day Dash 5K Henry Vilas Park, Madison
September 2, 2013 at 9 am
3.10 mi / 26:12 (8:27 pace)
Arrived late, five minutes before race time! Quickly checked in and
jogged to start line. Started at the back of the pack… first half mile
especially, was very congested. Still ran a good race, breaking my PR by
nearly two minutes!
Mile 1 - 9:23
Mile 2 - 8:28
Rest of race - 8:21
Finished 24th of 105 overall, 15th of 44 males, and 4th of 10 among males
50–59.
Skelly 50K Relay Skelly Farm, Janesville
November 9, 2013 at 7 am
7.76 mi / 1:09:27 (8:57 pace)
First leg of a 50K relay. Strong west winds and some hills provided a
challenge. I finished strong with a kick at the end. Great run!