SteepleChase 25K

52 degrees
2:04:04
32 out of 147 runners

I wasn't planning to run long this weekend, but I was feeling pretty good this week so I made up my mind to do to a long race. The Jersey Shore 1/2 marathon was the logical choice and I knew a few friends that were running it. I was all set to make the committment then Chris Kelly mentioned the Steeplechase 25K in Hillsborough. It was 2+ miles longer and 45 minutes closer to home. The only thing I was concerned with would be the rolling hills of Somerset. Chris convinced me it would be rather flat so 15.5 it was.

I now started thinking about doing a November marathon with hopes of qualifying for Boston so I could join John who qualified last December in Charlotte while I faded. My thoughts were to run the 15.5 at the same pace as Philly's race two weeks ago or a bit slower. If I could finish the race at a 7:45 pace and feeling rather strong, I would seriously think about running a marathon.

I usually like to get a decent night's sleep before a long race but I was in Brooklyn visiting with some old friends who grew up on West 8th street. They moved to California when they were about 12, but we recently got in touch via facebook. It turned into a big reunion with lots of folks that I haven't seen in a while. Of course we went to L&B and I ate just about everything. I got home at 11pm but stayed up until midnight.

I had a restless night of sleep but was excited about running the race. Chris was running a much faster pace so I was on my own. Start slow and finish strong were my thoughts. It didn't work out that way. I started slow and got slower. The rolling hills weren't really an issue but I never got into a rhythm. I adjusted my goal to 8 minute miles and I barely made that. I could have placed in my age group but let two guys pass me at mile 9 and didn't attempt to catch them.

If I do LBI next week, I need to get lots of rest this week. Its flat but boring. That November marathon may be out because I am not in 3:30 shape and I don't want to run one unless I could go under 3:30.

When I got home from the run, I was in the mood to cook a few different things. I made mini pizzas with flaky dough and roasted tomatoes and a pepperoni and shrimp appetizer. Both came out great.