Best running times in 2017:
1 mile: 6:59 (March 26; PR 6:52 from 2016) I ran this race on tired legs, one week after finishing a marathon, but managed to push through to break the 7 min time.
5K: 24:06 (April 29; PR 23:52 from 2016) The weather was getting warm, but I held on and won 1st place in my age group.
4 mile: 33:38 (July 15; PR 33:30 from 2016) I was pleased with my time in this mid-summer race, setting a course PR and nearly breaking a distance PR set in a mid-winter event.
10K: 49:28 (September 4; PR) After setting two new PRs for this distance earlier in the year, I broke the 50 minute barrier for the first time, following a great pace group.
10 mile: 1:27:25 (October 22; PR) This PR was largely the result of excellent pacing and successfully executing my race strategy.
Half marathon: 1:56:42 (December 17; PR) This was my highlight race of the year, smashing the 2 hour barrier in a certified race, and improving my course PR by more than 3 minutes.
Marathon: 4:48:12 (November 11; PR) This was not my best marathon experience, but I set a new PR by one second(!), and learned a valuable lesson on the importance of long runs.
Best running experiences in 2017:
3rd best: This was difficult to decide, but I'm listing the Run the ATL relay, due to the camaraderie of running on a team. I covered the second leg and ran one of my fastest 3-mile distances, not wanting to let down the others!
2nd best: The Publix Georgia Marathon: I almost achieved a negative split strategy, I still felt great at the 20 mile mark, and managed to finish fairly strongly on a tough course. This was a great confidence builder for my future as a marathon runner!
1st place: The Galloway Half Marathon: Not only did I run a personal record for the 13.1 mile distance, but I perfectly executed my race strategy from start to finish. This was a wonderful way to close out the year!
Worst running experiences in 2017:
3rd worst: The Peachtree Road Race: Returning from California about 24 hours before the start of the race, and having come down with a cold a few days earlier, I didn't run well, and barely broke 60 minutes for the 10K distance.
2nd worst: Thrill in the Hills 21K trail race: I fell three times in this race, and my ribs hurt badly afterwards. I went to Urgent Care for X-rays the next day, and fortunately didn't break any ribs, just badly bruised.
Worst: Janet Pickney's death, hit by a speeding police car on her morning run. This was a terrible tragedy. A policeman was driving 76 mph in a 40 mph zone, responding to a non-injury / non-crime case. He lost control of his vehicle and struck Janet as she was in a crosswalk parallel to the roadway, running against traffic. The policeman has been charged with vehicular homicide.
Running goals for 2018:
1) Run the Publix Georgia Marathon faster than 4:30, with a negative split strategy. With better attention to endurance training, I'm confident that I can run a marathon at an average 10 min / mile pace. I've joined the Atlanta Track Club training program, and will probably not run any races prior to March 18 other than a few Atlanta Track Club events that are part of the training plan.
2) Develop consistency to run close to my new PRs in the 10K and half-marathon distances. Specifically, I will aim to finish other 10K races in less than 50 minutes, and other half-marathons in less than 2 hours. This will be difficult, but last year I managed to run most of my 5K races in less than 25 minutes, even though I didn't set a new PR at the 5K distance.
3) Set new PRs in the 1 mile and 5K distances. Although I had good 1 mile and 5K races in 2017, I was a few seconds off of my personal records in both distances. I hope that the strength and mental toughness from marathon training can be channeled into running faster times at these shorter distances.
1 mile: 6:59 (March 26; PR 6:52 from 2016) I ran this race on tired legs, one week after finishing a marathon, but managed to push through to break the 7 min time.
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| First-place award featured Pete the Cat |
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| Tucker Running Club provides a great community and camaraderie in several weekly runs. This was Janet Pickney's last race. (She was front and center in the white singlet) |
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| Crossing the finish line, in the orange runningnerds race team shirt. If you click on the photo to expand, you may be able to see 49:52 gun time on the finish line clock. |
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| Brian and I have become good friends. Our friendship began a few years ago with some great conversations during long runs, and has grown beyond running, from double dates to high school football. I will be a groomsman at his wedding in April 2018. |
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| One second before one of my biggest celebrations! |
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| Channeling Shalane Flanagan at the finish, even though she can run twice as fast as me. |
3rd best: This was difficult to decide, but I'm listing the Run the ATL relay, due to the camaraderie of running on a team. I covered the second leg and ran one of my fastest 3-mile distances, not wanting to let down the others!
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| Good showing from the Tucker Running Club team |
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| Another finish line victory photo, captured by my lovely wife Bonnie |
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| Calling my shot: at mile 9, I predicted a 1:57 finish. |
3rd worst: The Peachtree Road Race: Returning from California about 24 hours before the start of the race, and having come down with a cold a few days earlier, I didn't run well, and barely broke 60 minutes for the 10K distance.
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| Not my best look, falling asleep on the train after the race. |
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| I may be too clumsy to run trail races. |
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| Janet finishing the Tucker 5K in October 2016. Photo from the Runner's World article on Janet's death. |
1) Run the Publix Georgia Marathon faster than 4:30, with a negative split strategy. With better attention to endurance training, I'm confident that I can run a marathon at an average 10 min / mile pace. I've joined the Atlanta Track Club training program, and will probably not run any races prior to March 18 other than a few Atlanta Track Club events that are part of the training plan.
2) Develop consistency to run close to my new PRs in the 10K and half-marathon distances. Specifically, I will aim to finish other 10K races in less than 50 minutes, and other half-marathons in less than 2 hours. This will be difficult, but last year I managed to run most of my 5K races in less than 25 minutes, even though I didn't set a new PR at the 5K distance.
3) Set new PRs in the 1 mile and 5K distances. Although I had good 1 mile and 5K races in 2017, I was a few seconds off of my personal records in both distances. I hope that the strength and mental toughness from marathon training can be channeled into running faster times at these shorter distances.
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| Marathon training is off to a good start: this morning I ran 15 miles at a sub 10 min / mile pace. |
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