#buffalo marathon

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(photo courtesy of Diane Sardes, Checkers AC)

a good day after

monday

10 miles of slow run recovery for yesterday’s half, I felt okay save for a little soreness in the feet and ankles maybe from wearing old racing flats.  Still feeling good about yesterday’s race: went out well and tagged along with a good pack of 4 runners in the early miles, passed a half dozen people along the way before holding on for dear life the last few miles, then being outkicked by a couple of local runners I know who wouldn’t let me finish in peace.  I’ll get ‘em back later.  Felt good also about finishing nearly 2 minutes ahead of the last half marathon a month ago - it’s progress.

Still no word on the official masters winner of the half, but unofficially looks like I might’ve gotten it, the initial winner maybe DQ’ed, I don’t know...either way I feel good about the race, a race run in a cool misty surreal fog, as you can see from the finishline photo.

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good result

wednesday

10 miles nice easy in the park on another cool overcast day.  The legs were still a little tired and sore from Sunday’s half, so while the pace was easy, the pacing was tough.  Speaking of the Buffalo Half, looks like they’ve finally made the results official, with the initial masters male winner being the winner.  Whatever they/he needed to verify was verified.  Congrats to him, in the 40-44 AG, ran a 1:10, a terrific time!  And I’ll gladly take the 2nd masters place.

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happy half buffalo

sunday

Ran the Buffalo Half Marathon this morning, so full of mist and fog that we could see barely more than a 100 yards ahead of us at some points.  The temps were nearly ideal- in the 50’s - but humid.  

Such a major event now with over 5000 participants among several weekend events, it’s come a such long way.  I remember running it nearly 15 years ago dodging cars at spots on the course due to shortage of traffic control; I’m so proud to be a part of this superb event now (aren’t the finisher medal and the pullover sweet!)

Happy with my run, 1:19:20, 16th overall, 1st in 50-54 age group… but as I write this post, I just got word that I might’ve won the overall Masters division. The initial listed winner is no longer on the results… will let you know as I learn more...

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half way

wednesday

9 easy miles around the park after work.  Nice and easy just like the mild day, still feeling the good effects of sleep from a couple nights ago.  Just like that it’s half-way to the weekend, Memorial Day weekend 2019, the end of May.  In Buffalo, besides the memorial and cookouts, it means the Buffalo Marathon/Half Marathon, a huge weekend for our running community.

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weekend starts

friday

Took a rest day yesterday and slept in a little today, off from work, but still felt sluggish during an easy paced 6 miler to the park and back.  The sun was out, but the temps never got above the mid-60’s.  Like the rest of this spring, the day couldn’t quite seem to be able to get above a certain level.  It’s supposed to get up to the 70’s tomorrow, but we’re also expecting severe thunderstorms throughout the day.  A good day to head indoors and check out the Buffalo Marathon Expo.

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bounce back

thursday

Took a rest day yesterday.  Having been tired and sore for a few days now and then a hard workout yesterday convinced me to be a couch potato for an evening.  Plus a good night sleep gave the body a good recovery. Even with this afternoon’s sluggish 8 miler, the body feels healed. Especially with the bright sun and the temp in the 80’s.

Ran over a part of next week’s Buffalo half marathon closest to my house, looking forward to the event.  Continuing to prep for it, decided to race tomorrow evening, the Brian Dugan 5k, a local run and scholarship fundraiser named after a teacher who was killed a few years ago when hit by a car while jogging.  He sounded like an all-around good family man. Very tragic.

The 5k race will be a nice training run and good community event.

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before the holiday weekend

friday

on the road to new york

A 7 mile shakeout run on a cool overcast late afternoon ahead of Sunday’s Buffalo Half, took yesterday off - a busy day and to give the right foot a day off from some minor soreness that’s been there for a little while.  Might be from when I twisted the toe a little during a run couple weeks ago or maybe some lingering effects still from last month’s marathon.  The past week feels like I’ve been both prepping for Buffalo and recovering from Boston.  Either way, yesterday’s rest seemed to have helped, the foot felt good today.

Sunday’s race weather sounds good - overcast and cool, in the upper 50’s around start time - and essentially eliminated the chance of thunderstorms during the races.  Almost forgot this is Memorial Day weekend, happens every year with the marathon/half on the same weekend.  Time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice...  

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i’ll take it

sunday

on the road to new york

The Buffalo Half Marathon now in the books, not my best run but will take it, finished in 1:18:00 even - saw the clock ticking towards 1:18 as I neared the finish line, tried to put on the jets and thought I might’ve got under but not quite - 2nd masters finisher, 1st in the 50-54 age group.  Won some beer money with a couple hundred bucks.  A warm up plus a 4 miler afterwards added up to an 18 mile day.   

Never felt comfortable during the race, didn’t slept well last night and didn’t feel rested enough.  The legs were tight and fatigued throughout, and never loosened up as they normally do during a race.  Can’t complain about the temps, they were ideal.  Might still be recovering from last month’s marathon.  

Any way, not bad for a first race since then.  Some speed work should get the legs going faster the next couple months before actual training for New York starts.