Denouement

Hobbler Half Marathon

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Location:

Kowloon Tong,Hong Kong

Member Since:

Jul 02, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Olympic Trials Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Unaided:

5K - 17:11 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:48 (track Pre-kids and at BYU) (1998)

10K - 35:34 (road - Shek Mun 10k 12/12)

1/2 Marathon 1:19:44 (UNICEF HM 11/12)

Marathon 2:47:08 (ING Hartford Connecticut 10/10)

Aided:

St. George Marathon 2:50:40 (10/08)

1/2 marathon - Hobble Creek 1:17:14 (8/08)

10K - Deseret News 10K - 35:02 (7/08)

Short-Term Running Goals:

PR 1/2 marathon AGAIN


Long-Term Running Goals:

Break 2:46 in Boston!

Personal:

I used to run for BYU, but only after trying out three times and finally walking on, so I was never a star. However, it was wonderful to run with great people and under Coach Shane. When you run with fast people, you can't help to improve! I graduated BYU in 1998, and didn't run a race until 2002, after having my second child. My hiatus and other crazy life commitments have made my competitive running suffer, but the last couple of years I have tried to get back into it the best I can. I have been married since 1996, to Paul Lowry, who is a runner himself. I have three boys (my three rascals), ages 12, 10, and 8.

After a great 2008 season, I was injured and eventually diagnosed and cross-diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of arthritis disease, which precludes running for all but the most stubborn.  So I am on medications, trying to stay healthy, and seeing my PT often.  And running!  Now beating the streets in Hong Kong.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
NB RC900 Black/yellow Lifetime Miles: 183.31
NB RC1300 Red/Black Lifetime Miles: 195.31
2012 MTR Lifetime Miles: 4035.70
890 Blue Lifetime Miles: 310.55
NB RC 1600 Lifetime Miles: 96.76
RC 1400 Lifetime Miles: 90.60
NB 890 Baby Blue Lifetime Miles: 233.26
NB 890 Electric Blue Lifetime Miles: 319.67
NB 890 Tokyo Turquoise Lifetime Miles: 163.54
Race: Hobbler Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:19:54, Place overall: 1
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTrainer 1 MilesTrainer 2 MilesRacer MilesTotal Distance
8.900.0013.100.000.000.000.0022.00

Hobbler Half today. Had horrible sleep last night, just too much stress to sleep well.  Got 2.5 hours.  Woke up at 4:20.  Oatmeal, dressed, immodium, out the door.  Met Josse, Mack, Aub and Frank at the bottom and rode up.  It was great.  We got up to the top at about 5:45. The race apparently was late, started at 7:04, but I thought it was going to start at 7am, so it was on time for me :D  Given my monday race, I thought I am still not in peak condition, but that downhill races are fun, so I was going to soak up the experience, and hopefully bank enough seconds for the last uphill mile to still get a good time.  My A goal was 1:18:45, my B was to beat Stephanie Talley's time from last year (and course record) of 1:19:06, and my C was to break 1:20.  Ran 2.5 miles warm up, stretching, hanging out.  I see no women I recognize as threats.  I guess it's just me and Stephanie's record.  I wanted to be sub 6:00 through mile 10 then hang on best I could as it climbed in mile 12 and 13.  First miles I tried to keep effort easy yet still take advantage of the hills. The course through mile 11.5 is rolling downhill.  It was nice, not as steep ask Hobble Creek 1/2.  First mile measured .06 short, and all other miles were about .06-.08 off, but then it made up for it at the end since there was a way long (like .17 long) .1 mile at the end of the race.  So my splits are by my watch.  First four miles I was in lead with guys around.  Creamy white guy (cream shirt, white shorts, creamy white legs) was being very jerky with his pace, speeding up (passing like I am standing still), then slowing when in front of me, blocking me when I was on a turn.  There was one girl right behind me for 3-4 miles, but she was breathing too hard for this point in the race so I knew she'd be unlikely to challenge me. First 4 miles were 5:58, 5:56, 5:59, 6:04.  Creamy white guy falls back for good by mile 4, and so is the girl behind me.  I have a nice set of three guys just ahead of me that I hang onto for the next several miles.  The mile 6 water station was off the course and unmanned so I got no water, even though I had downed a gu in prep for the station.  Bummer.  No water until mile 9.  It started to get hot at around mile 6 too. Miles 5-8 were: 5:56, 6:02, 5:57, 6;07.  In the 8th mile I pass the two of the three guys, and another guy, looking really strong, passed me.  I know I need to hang onto him but easier said than done.  He creeps away.  Meanwhile, I am feeling fatigued, but I do successfully hang onto green shirt guy.  Miles 9-11 were 6:09, 6:03, 6:14.  Hanging on, but starting a gradual fade.  There is intermittent headwind and tailwind, just to keep me guessing. Mile 12 starts with a nice strong downhill but starts the ascent to the finish in the second half.  Mile 12 is 6:15.  Mile 13 is uphill for about .8, then flat for .2.  I struggled in this mile for sure.  At .7 my lap pace was 6:49, but started to pick it up for the finish and got a 6:36 for this mile. 5:20 pace for .1.  My watch measured 13.1, and I was very careful with my tangents going down the canyon.  There were just under 600 finishers in the half, I was 11th overall, first girl.  #2 was an athlete of Bill Cobler's, #3 was MacK and #4 was Aub.  South county representing :D  I did 2.4 cool down, then waited in line for a massage while waiting for the awards.  Wouldn't you know it they start the female awards when I am on the massage table, 2.5 minutes into the best 10 minute massage I never had after a race (the guy was great, but I jumped off the table to claim my prizes).  I was aware of the $250 cash and a watch (for sale if anyone wants it, it's a Red Clover sports watch with a heartrate monitor.  Model RC10005-A  MSRP is $65 on the box, can find online for $58.50, I'll sell it for best offer), but I didn't know that I also won a cool ladder.  It is a Little Giant Ladder Systems ladder, MSRP's at $359 and I would also need to sell the ladder as well http://www.littlegiantladdersystems.com/products/view/15.  For those who don't know, we are moving.  I will communicate details to my friends as I see them.  My only friends will be blog friends soon!  

After the race I was blessed to share my running experiences and lessons learned (some I relearn frequently!) with the Salem Hills High School cross country team which were up Hobble Creek for their running camp.  This provided me with the opportunity to reflect on the blessing running has been in my life.  I tried to communicate how your running career is alot like a marathon.  You can't obsess about mile 26 in mile 1, and you just need to be present and committed to the phase you are in.  I am in Phase 3 :D 

PM: 4 miles shake out run  in 8:12 ave pace in 97F at 3:20, also humidity still higher than normal, core workout

Saucony A2 (blue) Miles: 14.002011 Mileage Miles: 60.00
Night Sleep Time: 2.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 2.50Weight: 126.60
Comments
From emruns on Sat, Jul 09, 2011 at 21:07:07 from 76.27.114.171

Awesome job on your race! I was going to run it, but alas, my achilles tendon has been troubling me. Thanks for the reminder to stay in the present and not obsess about the end result! Bill says your running Des News Marathon. Fact or fiction?

From Rob Murphy on Sat, Jul 09, 2011 at 22:20:33 from 98.202.141.17

Yeah, you got me by four seconds that last mile! I always wish I could meet more people from the blog at races but I don't always match them up with their blog pictures.

"Creamy White Guy". Nice visual! I ran with Corbin Talley most of the way along with a guy who was the loudest breather I've ever heard in a race. It's nice to have company in a race but it can be annoying as well.

From Burt on Sat, Jul 09, 2011 at 22:35:17 from 72.223.90.99

You started this race report the same way you started last one. (See? I actually read your reports.) Maybe try some yoga. Find your qi.

Hobbler's half, Hobble Creek, Bill Cobler, I'm confused.

If I ever get the opportunity to share experiences with a high school sports team I will make sure to end my speech with this. "Which brings me to my next point kids. Don't smoke crack!"

From MichelleL on Sat, Jul 09, 2011 at 22:50:08 from 67.41.183.229

Fiction! That would be one crazy move. No, I said I was doing Des News, but I meant the 10k. The 10k is crazy enough :D

From Jody on Sat, Jul 09, 2011 at 22:55:00 from 75.141.131.35

Congrats on a great race!

From Clay on Sun, Jul 10, 2011 at 12:40:16 from 76.27.40.209

When are you moving Michelle??? We need to talk Kiddo! Great race to by the way! I wish you the best where ever you end up!

From josse on Sun, Jul 10, 2011 at 13:36:46 from 75.244.228.94

Great job Michelle!!

From AmberG on Sun, Jul 10, 2011 at 17:25:33 from 174.19.49.56

Congrats on your race Michelle! I admire your zest and dedication in the running world, you never seem to lose your steam!!!

From Smooth on Sun, Jul 10, 2011 at 21:36:16 from 67.2.71.188

CONGRATULATIONS on the win and another awesome race! :)

Wishing you the very best with your move! We're gonna miss you!

From allie on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 00:06:59 from 24.10.191.18

way to go, michelle! another great race for you.

From Britta on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 13:15:15 from 99.186.205.90

Please tell my you are moving to Corona and you can be my running coach!!!! :) :)

I know you said it is scary by your dads house but a I promise it is nice were I live!:)

From Merri on Tue, Jul 12, 2011 at 16:34:02 from 160.7.252.148

Nice job Michelle! It was good to see you Monday. My niece is on the Salem Hills XC team. :)

From Teeples the younger on Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 14:19:02 from 205.127.248.80

creamy white guy was me. sory bout the turn wasn't watching behind me at all.

From Burt on Sat, Jul 16, 2011 at 20:13:02 from 72.223.88.109

No hard feelings Creamy. I mean Teeples.

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