Doonst & dgrant's "The Longest Day"
Doonst & dgrant's "The Longest Day"
It's been a super long day, so this report will mostly be in "highlight" form...
Sheldon and I decided to honour the summer solstice by turning the longest day of the year into our longest day of the year. We planned to run the half marathon that's part of the Niagara Ultra race event in the morning, then the Summer Solstice trail run near Orangeville in the evening.
Niagara Half Marathon
I elected to go out aggressively in this one, and by about 8K found myself in third place overall. The second place guy looked much more athletic than me, so I sort of resigned myself to trying to hang on to third spot and get my first ever top-3 result. But these old legs were feeling quite good and I was pacing myself very consistently, and by 16K or so I overtook that guy and assumed second spot.
Because there were virtually no mile markers on the course I frankly had no idea what my pace or projected time was. All I cared about was that a new challenger had emerged and was (at times) less than 20m behind me. I've never, ever been in a position to actually race for a placement that mattered so I focussed really well and outkicked him to the finish.
Chip time was 1:31:40, a PB by 6 minutes and 32 seconds. I ended up in second place overall (out of 155 finishers) and won my age group (of 24 males under 40).
My hardware, or "soft"ware as it were. The age group awards were commemorative plush bunnies.
Sheldon got one too for his age group placement.
It was obviously neat to finish second in a half marathon. I fully realize that a 1:31 would place me 200th in large races, so I'm not going bonkers over it. However, trying to hold another runner off for a particular spot definitely helped push me to the fastest time I could have possibly run, so that's neat. Easily the best half marathon I've ever done.
Summer Solstice Trail Race
The race was delayed 30 minutes to let a vicious storm cell work its way through. Just as well, 'cause I think Sheldon and I were both running on fumes.
Nothing is photoshopped. He actually wore that.
This was a brutal up and down course, starting with a killer switchback climb. At one point there's a 60-80ft climb up slick wooden stairs. Just sadistic stuff for two tired guys. I hung in pretty well with the eventual 4th and 5th place finishers until roughly 9K, when my legs just could not respond to their last push. I nearly caught one guy in the final 100m, but wound up 7th overall (of 54 finishers). Just missed another age group award (4th out of 15 men under 40).
Two kind of creepy looking guys.
Another little highlight was meeting Chuck Engle at the Niagara event. (For those who may not know, Chuck Engle is the guy who won 35 marathons in 2006/2007. That's not a typo, he won 35 marathons.) I introduced myself to him after his second place marathon finish (he clearly slowed to let the winner take the cake, telling me afterward he just doesn't see the honour in outkicking somebody in the final seconds of a tiny marathon). Pretty neat stuff for me, especially since hours later he remembered my name.
Overall it was a really fun and novel day. I think we both ran pretty decently. As always Sheldon is a great racing buddy. Thanks to Lisa for coming along and being a great supporter and photographer.
Sheldon and I decided to honour the summer solstice by turning the longest day of the year into our longest day of the year. We planned to run the half marathon that's part of the Niagara Ultra race event in the morning, then the Summer Solstice trail run near Orangeville in the evening.
Niagara Half Marathon
I elected to go out aggressively in this one, and by about 8K found myself in third place overall. The second place guy looked much more athletic than me, so I sort of resigned myself to trying to hang on to third spot and get my first ever top-3 result. But these old legs were feeling quite good and I was pacing myself very consistently, and by 16K or so I overtook that guy and assumed second spot.
Because there were virtually no mile markers on the course I frankly had no idea what my pace or projected time was. All I cared about was that a new challenger had emerged and was (at times) less than 20m behind me. I've never, ever been in a position to actually race for a placement that mattered so I focussed really well and outkicked him to the finish.
Chip time was 1:31:40, a PB by 6 minutes and 32 seconds. I ended up in second place overall (out of 155 finishers) and won my age group (of 24 males under 40).
My hardware, or "soft"ware as it were. The age group awards were commemorative plush bunnies.
Sheldon got one too for his age group placement.
It was obviously neat to finish second in a half marathon. I fully realize that a 1:31 would place me 200th in large races, so I'm not going bonkers over it. However, trying to hold another runner off for a particular spot definitely helped push me to the fastest time I could have possibly run, so that's neat. Easily the best half marathon I've ever done.
Summer Solstice Trail Race
The race was delayed 30 minutes to let a vicious storm cell work its way through. Just as well, 'cause I think Sheldon and I were both running on fumes.
Nothing is photoshopped. He actually wore that.
This was a brutal up and down course, starting with a killer switchback climb. At one point there's a 60-80ft climb up slick wooden stairs. Just sadistic stuff for two tired guys. I hung in pretty well with the eventual 4th and 5th place finishers until roughly 9K, when my legs just could not respond to their last push. I nearly caught one guy in the final 100m, but wound up 7th overall (of 54 finishers). Just missed another age group award (4th out of 15 men under 40).
Two kind of creepy looking guys.
Another little highlight was meeting Chuck Engle at the Niagara event. (For those who may not know, Chuck Engle is the guy who won 35 marathons in 2006/2007. That's not a typo, he won 35 marathons.) I introduced myself to him after his second place marathon finish (he clearly slowed to let the winner take the cake, telling me afterward he just doesn't see the honour in outkicking somebody in the final seconds of a tiny marathon). Pretty neat stuff for me, especially since hours later he remembered my name.
Overall it was a really fun and novel day. I think we both ran pretty decently. As always Sheldon is a great racing buddy. Thanks to Lisa for coming along and being a great supporter and photographer.
Last edited by dgrant on Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- dwayne_runs_far
- Bill Crothers
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Amazing way to spend the day! Now, maybe this has been discussed before, but is Sheldon colour blind or was there some recreational pharmaceuticals in his past?
On an additional note, Chuck Engle is also one of the three that ran across the Sahara with Ray Zahab.
Dwayne
On an additional note, Chuck Engle is also one of the three that ran across the Sahara with Ray Zahab.
Dwayne
I run distance because I want to be in good shape when I die.
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Friends don't let friends do anything stupid.
Alone.
Blackfoot 2007.
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Friends don't let friends do anything stupid.
Alone.
Blackfoot 2007.
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- scrumhalfgirl
- Lynn Williams
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Marg wrote:
Sheldon looks like a glow stick.
Indeed he does....hey we'd all be disappointed if Doonst started wearing basic black and boring beige
Excellent races. Stuffed bunnies...so cute...so are you guys taking them to work on Monday to show off your awards
Dave...have you lots a bunch of weight..you look mighty trim and FAST
Technophobe Extraordinaire
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
"Princess" J0-JO...The Awesome Running Machine.
"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
Way to go guys!
You two just seem to have so much fun together!
OH the outfit. Doonst apparently likes to stand out! Or is it that he is so fast, that he is acting as the guding light, ensuring no following runners veer off course!
Lisa
You two just seem to have so much fun together!
OH the outfit. Doonst apparently likes to stand out! Or is it that he is so fast, that he is acting as the guding light, ensuring no following runners veer off course!
Lisa
It's not the size of the dog in the fight...it's the size of the fight in the dog! 11K Marker post - 2010 ATB.
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
- QuickChick
- Lynn Williams
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Yeah, as number one Dgrant supporter, let me just say... all you SHALLONGERS for PEC should be shakin' in your boots! Is there now a 3:20 shallonge? That's now a much more reasonable goal IMO. While it was almost painful to get up that early, I'm so glad I came along yesterday. I am so proud of Dave... I am as happy as I'd be if I had run such a great race.
"Don’t let negativity rent space in your brain for free. That is how you become a badass…by excavating her from inside you. You don’t have to become someone else. You need to identify the effing awesome parts of you that are your tools to work with, and maximize those." -Lauren Fleshman
- Doonst
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Jeesh, Sheldon dresses funny, that's not news. The news is Dave just ran a 1:31. The news is our little 18 month grudge match is OVER. My dream half time is 1:32, meaning maybe it will happen some day in the distant future, maybe not. After years of hard training. He just went out and did it, third killer PB in as many weeks. I feel sort of like Puff the Magic Dragon, after Little Jackie Paper grows up and stops playing with him along the cherry lane.
David has left the building; the shallonge is dead, long live the shallonge.
Second place, out of 155. Excellent work buddy.
David has left the building; the shallonge is dead, long live the shallonge.
Second place, out of 155. Excellent work buddy.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
- AlfiefromPickering
- Bill Crothers
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Congratulations on your speedy second place.
I saw the half marathon results after I finished the 50 K, but you were gone by then.
I saw the half marathon results after I finished the 50 K, but you were gone by then.
I am in love with the President of Argentina .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhf5iInIWEs mamacita preciosa
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIZ39iEw80M. She is 63 is 2016.... meaning 10 years older than I. I guess I'm into mature girls .....
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIZ39iEw80M. She is 63 is 2016.... meaning 10 years older than I. I guess I'm into mature girls .....
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Dave... what can I say? You're certainly blowing the socks off of everyone this season. You're stealth training (stealth as in not posting it ) is paying off in spades.. Either that or it's the hair
Sheldon was just being safe out there on the night race.. it was close to dusk, he wanted to make sure that he was being seen!
Sheldon was just being safe out there on the night race.. it was close to dusk, he wanted to make sure that he was being seen!
KEEP GOING, NEVER GIVE UP: Spencer D
Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
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amazing stuff Dave and Sheldon! 2nd overall amazing work Dave.
Sheldon's outfit did not even catch my eye in that photo(until you mentioned it) it was his posture and look on his face.
You boys are crazy but that is why I like you both
Sheldon's outfit did not even catch my eye in that photo(until you mentioned it) it was his posture and look on his face.
You boys are crazy but that is why I like you both
"Keep Going. Never Give Up" - Spencer
Don't give up before the miracle.
**formerly campbellskid**
Don't give up before the miracle.
**formerly campbellskid**
- runningman
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Great job today. I can tell you are very focussed on your improvement. I am thinking a BQ at PEC. That goal should definitely be in cross hairs. Your time yesterday equates to a 3:13:20 from McMillans race predictor, and you are getting faster. Stay focussed for the summer, hit the hills, make the training hurt with the end goal in mind, and you are going to BQ in the fall.
"The body is a serveant of the mind"
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RayMan wrote:Great results Dave! It took long enough for you younger runners to start beating the times of the older ones - I knew you had it in you!
Knock one minute off your half-marathon and you qualify for New York Marathon (I think - not sure how young you are).
Nope, he would need a 1:23 for another 8 years; he's 19 years younger than me which makes him 32. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
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