Run for Your Life Preview

The Stats 6/2/13 - 6/16/13
6/3: 6.22 mi; 50'58"; 8'11" avg. pace
6/12: 2.01 mi; 15'07"; 7'31" avg. pace
6/14: 5.02 mi; 43'22"; 8'38" avg. pace

Scheduling training runs has been difficult this summer. Other extra-circulars and the rain have combined to dent my usual pattern of 3-4 weekly runs. I wouldn't mind so much, but it makes gearing up for difficult races, like the upcoming Run for Your Life 5 miler, more daunting. My past three runs have all been encouraging though. On the third I did a circuit from the house, over the 35th St. Bridge, down the Boulevard, back over the South Side Bridge, and down MacCorkle to the house. It was good to see that my last mile was my third fastest split, so I have some energy at the end of a ten kilometer run. On June 12, I made it out in 90 degree heat to trot out a couple miles. Running a good seven and a half minute pace was uplifting; the summer sun can often drag split times down by a half to a full minute. My last training run in this period featured a road run outside of Hinton, WV. I ran along the Greenbrier River and near the local 4H camp. It was a more relaxed pace, but had some winding hills that my knees seemed able to handle with minimal creaking afterward.

Hinton, WV - run in the great outdoors

Having said all that, this upcoming race is a monster. The hill starting on Farnsworth Drive and leading up to Spring Hill Cemetery is the most difficult hill I've had to run. Add to that a likely warm, humid June morning and you have a recipe for DNF. I know I'll finish, but will it be in triumphant or somber fashion? I did this race every year from 2008 to 2011. Here is a breakdown of those finishes:

As you can see, I was humbled by the hill in 2009. But 2010 and 2011 showed a return to form. Injuries and time off want to threaten my recent good fortune. I'll have to replace training with an extra shot of will power.
A slight course change puts the starting line at the Capitol instead of river side at Haddad Park. That is fine by me, as the original course started with a brief incline up a ramp. California Ave. is where the runners will start. A left turn on Piedmont moves you west, away from the Capitol. Then, runners will turn around and start up the ramp on Farnworth Drive. That road ascends over the interstate and up, up, up to historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Once in the cemetery, the hills don't stop; it's a windy course through the graveyard. Everyone will be thrilled after making a loop through the cemetery; that's when we retrace the path, downhill this time, back to the Capitol. Friends, family, and food will be waiting at the finish line.

Enter, and hopefully leave, Spring Hill Cemetery

The annual FestivALL Chili Cook-off takes place following the race. All proceeds go to fight colorectal cancer; so I won't feel too down, even if I can't jog out the entire run.
Thumbs up, let's do this!