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September 22, 2007
Oroville "Salmon Run" Results
The results for the Oroville Salmon Run are here. Almost 100 runners came out and ran along the Feather River, to help kick off the weekend Salmon celebration in Oroville.
The overall winner was David Mosier of Chico, with a blistering fast time of 15 minutes, 37 seconds for the 5k course. This works out to just about 5 minutes, 3 seconds per mile - on a pretty hilly course!!! Second place went to Nicholas Newcomb (16 years old) with a very fast time of 18 minutes, 44 seconds. Third place with to Stuart Gorbet, with a time of 20 minutes, 38 seconds.
I helped bring up the "back of the front pack" with a distant 17th place finish, with a time of 23 minutes, 19 seconds. This was 19 seconds slower than my "predicted time" on this blog a couple of weeks ago - but I was still able to "bring home hardware", as the race had awards three deep in each age division. I ended up bringing home a very nice third place plaque to add to my feeble little collection of ribbons and awards. I was a little disappointed in my time, but I've really been slacking the last couple of months - and running is one of those sports that you have to keep up the volume and quality of training if you want to perform well.
Lots of thanks go out to Julie, her husband, two kids and all the volunteers that helped put together a great local race. Julie also had some great sponsors that helped with the raffle prizes (I won a 15$ gift certificate to Green Line Cyles in Oroville).
Posted by Dennis at 03:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
September 20, 2007
Only 20 Days till the HOT HALF!!
Well, guess I kinda dropped the ball on this race as well - I've been taking it easy after the HIM in July, and been thinking about running a lot more than actually running. It was a good break though, as I really needed a chance to catch up on sleep (those 4 or 5 days a week getting up at 4:00 AM were wearing me down, both physically and mentally). So, I had been planning on doing both the Salmon run (this Saturday in Oroville) and the first ever "HOT HALF" marathon in upper Bidwell Park.
It just occured to me, as I sat down to put together a quick little training program for the hot half, that it's too late for training - the race happens in only 20 days!!!! That means with a couple of days off to get fresh legs for the Salmon Run, then a day or two off after the race, that leave me about 15 days - which is typically the start of a good taper!!
So, guess I'll jump in with a 10 or 12 mile run or so on September 23 (assuming I feel good after the race), then start tapering down. My last long run was 13.1 miles, about two months ago - so this will be a real interesting race for me... My last "recent" long run was only 8.5 miles, so I have not set any real high hopes for a sub 2 hour race this time. Compounding my lack of training, is that this race is off-road .... In the hills of Bidwell Park. That should make for an even more interesting day.
Posted by Dennis at 07:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 14, 2007
Feather River Salmon Run 5k
Ok, I know I procrastinated on this one - I just now got around to signing up for this run on active.com. For only $25 bucks, you get a cool shirt, a great run along the bike trail next to the Feather River, and I get to see Oroville's new park for the first time.
Julie Healy always does a great job putting on her races, and I sure this one will not be any different.
My training has somewhat suffered this last month, so I not expecting a tremendous race - If I can bring my time in somewhere around 23 minutes I'll be really happy.
Hope to see you all out there!!!
Posted by Dennis at 10:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 03, 2007
What have You Done?????
“Hoop” wrote in to my “Obesity Trends” update last week, and asked me what I have done in response to this “Obesity Epidemic” (the CA State School Superintendent Jack O’Connell calls it a silent epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition).
I have never really written it down before, but here it goes…
Personally, I went from 190 pounds, at age 42, incapable of running more that 50 feet at a time, to just this summer at age 46 completing a half-iron distance triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run). I’ve went from a size 34 to a size 32 Levi, I NEVER eat fast food, and I have finally convinced my 13 year old son and most of his friends that the stuff at McDonalds and Burger King will slowly kill you.
I have encouraged lots of friends and co-workers to do "something" to get off the couch - whether it is running, swimming, or taking a walk in the park.
I've also tried (so far, unsuccessfully) to get both the local and national media involved (from Channel 12 news to the Rachael Ray Show) as they would have an incredible ability to show the good things that a reasonable exercise program can do for your physical and mental well-being.
I have been an active member of an organization called beginnertriathlete.com for over 3 years, where the members provide an incredible amount of support and advice for new and struggling runners and triathletes around the world.
I've participated in probably 25 running races, 15 triathlons, volunteered in numerous races, been a member of Chico Running Club for 4 or 5 years, and I am working on the concept of a program that would be of interest to schools, where I could come in an discuss an "Ironman" triathlon to PE classes, and show kids all the things that need to go right to be able to finish one - fitness, nutrition, bike mechanical condition, mental fitness and toughness, etc. This of course, is predicated upon my actually finishing an IRONMAN, which I hope to accomplish in 2009.
Lastly, I have been sending updates out to the world through this blog, hoping to show the "average folk", with a job, 2 kids, a dog and a white picket fence that needs painting that they too can do amazing things, if they are just willing to shut off that damned television, and get up off the couch and get moving.
That's about all, I guess...
Dennis
Posted by Dennis at 04:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack