RACE REPORT: Roanoke Canal Half Marathon

The Battle by Marg Bentley

The very brief saga of my first half marathon...the only thing brief about it!

 

The half, the half,

Oh!  My calf!

 

Oh my thigh, oh my toe,

oh my knee, oh no!

 

Bruised and swollen,

Energy is flowin',

 

Oh look mud!

I said before the thud...

 

Rollin' along,

singin' do wa ditty,

 

Oh brother,

This will not be pretty!

 

Limp, hop, step,

now I'm set!

 

A whole new running style?

Shit!  Five more miles!

 

G's got me laughin',

Great!  Now I'm peein',

 

At least the trail is

some glimpse of freedom!

 

Runnin' like a kid,

smilin' the whole way,

 

Thinkin' this is the day

that HE hath made,

 

Startin' to hear the cheers,

partin' from my DNF fears,

 

Let's cruise it on in,

look good in the end,

 

Mind says yes yes!

Body says hell no!

 

At least you got a medal she says,

and suddenly I realized it was all in my head.

Raleigh Running Outfitters: Spring Sale

Get by Raleigh Running Outfitters this weekend for their annual Spring Sale.  This is a great time to get your new gear for the spring and summer, but you can also save a bunch on winter gear for next year.  Everything is 20%-50%.  This is bigger than the normal RMEC discount, so don't miss out.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Race Packet Stuffing:

This Thursday evening at 5:30 pm we will be stuffing race packets for the Roanoke Canal Half Marathon and 8k.  If you can spare an hour or two to help it would be VERY appreciated.  We will do it at the RBC main buidling.  If we get 7-8 people, it will go very fast.  The more people who sho up, the faster things go.

Please post a comment here if you can help.  Thank you.

Tobacco Road is Coming!

Did you know the RMEC has 25 runners rrunning for the Tobacco Road Marathon and Half Marathon? Not only that, there are about 10 other Rocky Mount runners not in the club racing as well.

This is the second year of the race but it is already becoming a favorite for the RMEC. The unique course takes advantage of the American Tobacco Trail for most of the race. This wide packed-cinder trail in flat and perfect for a PR. The marathon has two long out-and-backs and the half marathon has one. Out-and-backs are great when racing with friends. It gives you a constant sense of encouragement every step of the way. With the right weather conditions, I expect lots of PRs. . . and a few BQs as well.

For those racing, please post comments about your travel plans. I expect there are lots of chances for carpooling.

HALF MARATHON:

• Carolyn Beam
• Kevin Boudreau
• Ursula Forrester
• Elizabeth Fuson
• Jason Irvin
• Brad Kerr
• Brian Lankford
• Patti Miller
• Amber Shingleton
• Jon Shingleton
• Julie Stutts

FULL MARATHON:

• Cliff Amos
• Ryan Bullard
• Dennis Crossen
• Gerry Felton
• Jeannie Kerr
• Dave Lavely
• Frank Lilley
• Julian Mcleod
• Yvonne Mcleod
• Jeff Miller
• Eric Pate
• Tracy Proctor
• Kinnie Pruden
• Ralph Willey

Catching up on Results

Spring has just started to arrive, and the RMEC is already having a great 2011 racing year. I am sure I have missed several races, but here is an early look at how we are doing.

Umstead Trail Marathon: Scott Wingfield sets an Umstead PR by more than 10 minutes with a 4:23. Ron Flemming was absolutely on fire and ran a 3:46! This was a marathon PR for Ron. Just in case you are not familiar with Umstead. . . this is not a place to set a PR. Rumor is they actually moved mountains from Western Carolina into Raleigh. Complete results are available online.

Crystal Coast Half Marathon: Three club members snuck off to Morehead City to race in the Crystal Coast Half Marathon. John Batchelor ran an amazing 1:23:20 and took 8th overall. Equally impressive was Derek Hurdle who also broke the 90 minute barrier running a 1:29:49 and taking 21st. John's better half Jeanette had a solid race as well positing a 2:09:14. Crystal Coast was primarily a training race for this trio. . . looks like they are in great shape for their upcoming races.  Complete results are available online.

Princess Half Marathon: Jeannie Kerr has quietly become a running machine over the past year. She is ready for her marathon debut in a few weeks, and decided to test things out at the Disney Princess Half Marathon. With a time of 2:24:48 I have to assume her confidence is high. This time was a PR by just over a minute for Jeannie.  Complete results are available online.

Run for Ray Half Marathon: Back in Wilmington, Jeff Hartney and Levi Moore took on a trail marathon called the Run for Ray. Jeff took 10th overall with a 1:30:02. Levi set a new half marathon PR with a 1:42:52. Two strong performances for the RMEC. These times are fast for a road race. . . these were posted on trails! Complete results are available online.

Pilot Mountain Payback: If you know the RMEC, you know Frank. . . Frank is known for picking races that take an already difficult task and make it harder. Sometimes they are run at night. Sometimes there are run in he heat. Sometimes, they are run up a mountain. This time Frank selected the Pilot Mountain Payback. 83 runners registered for the marathon, 69 started, and only 62 finished. . . Frank was one of them. Not his fastest marathon, but he rose to the challenge once again. By the way, he ran another 26 miles at Medoc two days later. Complete results are available online.

With all of the racing our 70 members do, it is easy to discount race performances.  Don't let that happen.  Every race is worthy of recognition.  Please be sure to congratulate your teammates.  Positive comments helps to keep this club motivated and growing.

As always. . . we would love to read some race recaps!

RUN RSVP: Saturday 3/5

Come out to run with the club tomorrow morning.  Hope to see a great crowd out there in the morning.  

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: yes, at the tracks
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes:  6.67 Loop Route

Please post here if you plan to run and include your anticipated distance and pace!  The route is one you can do one, two, three or as many times as you want!  Happy running!

What are you Running?

Spring is in the air!  That makes for chirping birds, sunny skies, buds on trees, and happy feet.  [BIG INHALE] take it in boys and girls. . . running season has begun!

With 70+ RMEC members, I know we are racing all over the east coast.  Please take a minute and comment below and let us know where and when you are racing.  First of all, I want to update our race list to the right.  Secondly, it will help encourage other members to race as well, and just might get you a travel partner!

If there is a race you are considering (or that just looks fun) share that as well.  You may find others that are interested.  I know we have people doing the American Odyssey Relay, Tobacco Road, Umstead, Warrior Dash, Bright Night 5k, and more.  Tell us what you are running!