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After just a couple of weeks since the Pleasanton half-marathon, I ran another one one Sunday, the Avenue of the Vines.

This race started at Woodbridge Winery in Acampo. Interestingly, the same starting location as my first century almost 10 years ago.

We got started about 20 minutes late. There had been an accident on highway 99 and the race organizers were kind enough to delay the start so everyone could get there.

The course wasn’t very interesting and there was very little shade. There were a lot of very friendly volunteers and a great turnout.

Not my favorite of the races I’ve done so far but still a fun race.

I still didn’t reach my goal of a sub-2 hour half-marathon. In fact, it was my slowest half-marathons of the 4 I have done. At 2:09, I am just glad I finished. I know that sounds cliché but there were a few miles during the race when I thought there was no way I’d be able to finish the 13 miles.

At around mile 10, Ken came riding his bike down the road… he took this shot. Thanks to Ken, Kenny, Megen, Dan and Mak for being there at the finish.

On Sunday, I completed my third half-marathon, the Pleasanton Half Marathon.

It was a great day for a run! A little overcast, start time temps in the high 50s with just a hint of a breeze. Dawn, Makenzy, and I got to Dublin early to pick up Mike and Rachel before heading out to Pleasanton Sports Park.

Before the first mile, Mike was in front of me. Although I could still see him up ahead, he wouldn’t see me until I crossed the finish line five minutes after him.

The route was great. For nearly the entire race, I had no idea where I was. I worked in Pleasanton for many years, but didn’t recognize any of these streets. The unfamiliarity made it very interesting. The path parallel to I-680 was as close to looking familiar as I would get.

The course was along a few different surfaces. The loose dirt and other surfaces of some of the trails were a cool change to pavement.

I started off feeling pretty good. I hadn’t added any bike or running miles all week so I was plenty rested. My first five miles were pretty fast for me, 8:41 pace. I first tried to hang out with the 1:55 pace group but only lasted a few miles. I then tried to stick with the 2:00 pacer but only managed to hang on for a few more miles. After mile 8 I was starting to slow down and was really starting to hurt. My knees (and ITB) were fine, just my quads were hurting.

Just before mile 10 I looked behind me and saw the 2:05 pacer running by himself. He passed me but I pushed until I caught back up. This was my first experience running with a pacer. He proved to be just what I needed. He kept me focused and I was able to push through the pain for the last few miles. He slowed a bit near the end to get back on pace and told me kick it up a gear and finish strong.

I finished at 2:01:47. Still looking for the sub-2 time, but was pretty happy with how I did, and very thankful to that pacer. I couldn’t help doing the math afterward. Based on my pre-pacer pace and trend, I think I would have finished at 2:07 or so. So, thanks pacer!

Not too long after the race it started to rain. Just for a couple of minutes, but enough of it that I was even more happier that I finished when I did.

Looking forward to my next half in Lodi in a couple of weeks.

Today, Ken and I ran the Mud on the Farm Mud Run at Dell’Osso Farms. For me, it was a return to the place where my running life began. Before last September’s Mud on the Farm, I had ran in a few 5k races but would certainly not have considered myself a runner.

I barely survived last year’s mud run and it motivated me to start running. Just to be sure I’d keep it up, and because my (11 year) older brother did the same, I also signed up for the Tahoe Tough Mudder in July 2013.

So, this time was great, except for the fact that Makenzy got sick and couldn’t run it with me.

There were a couple of new obstacles and there weren’t a lot of people in our wave so there weren’t the delays at some of the obstacles like last year.

And how did we do?

Well, we both did a lot better than last year’s event.

And Ken took 3rd place for his age group! And since he did a hard face plant in the mud at the very end, he earned some time with the medics. Thankfully, he was able to open his eyes an hour or so after finishing the race.

Looking forward to the Tahoe Tough Mudder!

Check out the pics here.

I ran my second half-marathon last weekend, the Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon.

The course started in downtown Modesto and went through a residential area before heading out west of highway 99. The weather was perfect and there were a lot of runners; well, considerably more than I experienced in Galt in February!

I got to see Tyre Girl in action, who runs marathons dragging a tire behind her to raise awareness about recycling. (read her post about the SAMM here)

The course, wasn’t bad at all until the last few miles, on the straight and very boring return back. After the full marathon split-off the mile markers were off a bit, and many of the runners (including myself) looked a little confused at every mile marker. I didn’t mind though… it added about a half mile to my run.

There was Gatorade, not just water, at many of the water stations, and for the last few miles they were handing out Gu (thank goodness!).

My official time was 2:04:05. A little slower than the Tiny Half, but since that course was a little short and this one a little long, I was pleased with the result. Within a couple of minutes of crossing the finish line I received an e-mail congratulating me on finishing and reporting my official time. I was in a lot of pain when I finished. Both of my IT bands were killing me and it took quite a while for me to walk through to the end of the finishing line (or whatever that thing is called).

Like at my first race, it was great to have Dawn and Makenzy there with me. Maybe they’ll get tired of coming out to cheer me on (at the start and finish) but I hope they never do, it’s nice having someone at the end!

Another race… another Frank appearance!

The volunteers were great and the course was fun. There was plenty to do after the race, too. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.

Last Saturday, I completed the inaugural “Tiny” Half Marathon, my first half-marathon.

Having started running late last year, I was eager to run in my first half-marathon.

Right from the start, all of the advice I had heard from my runner friends was to keep it slow…

So I started off slow… or so I thought. I started my time on Strava more than a minute before the race started… so what I thought was a slow pace for the first mile was actually pretty fast. At mile 2 I finally figured that out and dropped my pace a bit.

Right after the start, and I had no idea that Row Row #313) was right there!

My personal goal was to finish the 13.1 miles without stopping or walking. Even though I tried to not get a number stuck in my hand, I was pretty sure I could finish in 2:07:00.

The course was cool and interesting. Having seen some of Galt on my bike, it was nice to see it a little slower.

And it was great to see some friends like Frank, Row, and David.

Near the end, after barely getting over the massive climb at mile 12 (the highway 99 overpass) I knew I was going to finish the run but had no sense what my time was. When I turned the corner, no more than 50 meters from the finish line, I saw the time has just passed the 2 hour mark!

I was pretty pumped that I completed the race in just over 2 hours! My official time was 2:00:36.