I signed up for the Oak Tree Half Marathon on September 2nd in Geneseo, NY. I debated about it. I have the Rochester Marathon two weeks later on September 16th. But I was scheduled to run 10 miles on Saturday (September 1st) at a 9:30 pace. So I am going to switch that to a rest day, and run the half marathon as a training run. I am planning on running it at a 9:30 pace. Actually I might bump the pace up just a hair so that I come in under 2 hours.
Besides being a training run, I am going to use it as an opportunity to practice running with my new Garmin Forerunner 305. I want to use it to set the pace, and have it tell me if I am ahead of pace, or behind pace, etc. It has a neat feature called the Virtual Training Partner that I think will work well.
One concern is that at a glance of the route on TopoRoute.com, the half marathon route looks a little hillier than I was expecting. But the hills might be very gradual in reality. I am planning on taking my time anyway. It will be fun. And hopefully I am one of the first 200 people to register and will get a tech shirt.
Rob,
I dont know if you check out the Rochester runners website or not, but their is a thread about this race. Someone voiced some concern about the conditions of the path/road.
Alan
Comment by Big Al — August 28, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Hi Al, I just went to their site. Actually I went to the wrong site first, but I eventually found it. Rest assured that nothing they are likely to have there will come close to what I ran on at the Wakely Dam Ultra! LOL!
Thanks,
RJ
Comment by Rob — August 28, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
Rob, I ran the Oak Tree Half Marathon as I’m running Chicago. It was hillier than I thought (I should have known. I went to college there). Also, I just got my Forerunner 305 delivered today and was wondering how it worked out for you in Geneseo? Dawn
Comment by Dawn — September 4, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
I loved my 305! I set it up as a training run. I set the distance to half marathon, and the pace to 9:30. It would tell me how I was doing relative to the pace I set. Not sure if you read my write up of the race at:
http://www.fitness4sports.com/oak-tree-half-marathon.html
I have been been completely happy with my 305. I have the Rochester Marathon (I am doing the full) in two weeks, and will be using the 305 there too. Good luck in Chicago. I have some friends running there. I recommend playing with the unit on some training runs before the actual race.
Comment by Rob — September 5, 2007 @ 6:51 am
Rob, I just read your summary. Excellent run… You are going to do great with the Rochester Marathon. Is this your first? I’ve run Chicago in the past - flat (thank God!!). Just tried my 305. How did you determine which program to use to download to? Dawn
Comment by Dawn — September 5, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Not my first. I ran the Rochester Half last year in 2:21. Then I ran the Las Vegas Marathon in December in 5:25 (as a Running Elvis). In May I ran the Buffalo Marathon on 4:21. I am shooting for 3:45 for the Rochester Marathon on the 16th.
Next year (maybe May) my goal is to hit 3:30 and qualify for the 2009 Boston Marathon.
How did you do at the Oak Tree?
I don’t know if I understand your question about the 305. The 305 came with software called Garmin Traing Center. If you get it set up correctly, it should download the new data automatically when you connect the 305 to your computer.
I have had problems with it wanting to reinstall the software everytime I connect. I get around that, but I will hopefully get it to work properly.
Comment by Rob — September 5, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Hi Rob, I was somewhat disappointed with my run. My calves cramped, got blisters (even with body glide and wright socks) and my ITB was bothering me. I finished at 2:27. I’ll get over it:). I’ve only uploaded my info via the Garmin site, not the motion based site.
I think you’ll definitely meet your time goal for the marathon. You must be so excited! I’ll be there cheering everyone on!
Dawn
Comment by Dawn — September 5, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Hi Dawn, sorry your run didn’t go well. I didn’t get any cramps. I got one blister. I am think about trying Injinji Socks. I have heard good reports about them reducing blisters.
As far as the ITB issue, check out this page:
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/overusekneeinjuries/overusekneeinjuries.htm
I had ITB issues a while back, and got past it quickly by stretching before running, and icing the knee after the run.
I have had some knee discomfort since the Oak Tree. Not ITB. It is on the top inside part of the knee. I am resting/stretching/icing the knee hoping it will go away.
I am excited. So you will be at the Rochester Marathon aas a spectator, not a runner?
Watch for me. I will be the one wearing a blue leisure suit looking shirt and probably a Hello My Name Is ROB sticker on my chest. I will be hard to miss.
Comment by Rob — September 6, 2007 @ 8:58 am
Hello Rob, Great website. Thanks. I usually don’t stretch before I run (I’m always try to find time just to run), but will definitely try it. I will be there as a spectator. Tend to go out of town to run! LOL. I will watch for you. When you get your bib #, let me know! Dawn
Comment by Dawn — September 6, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
I don’t spend a lot time stretching. Just a minute or two.
I will be picking up my runners packet probably next Friday. But a better identifier will be my shirt.
Go here to see a picture of the shirt:
http://www.fitness4sports.com/leisure-suit-jersey.html
I am guessing no one else will be wearing one like it.
Comment by Rob — September 7, 2007 @ 6:16 am
Hi Dawn. I picked up my packet for the Rochester Marathon. I will be #195. Part of my is still debating between wearing the Leisure Suit shirt or the Tux shirt. I wore the Leisure Suit for the Oak Tree Half two weeks ago, so maybe I will wear the tux tomorrow. I haven’t worn the tux shirt since the Buffalo Marathon. Keep an eye out for both.
Comment by Rob — September 15, 2007 @ 7:56 am
Hi Rob,
I couldn’t go. I had a death in my family (brother in law) and spent some time with the family.
I am so sorry.
So, tell me about it!
Dawn
Comment by Dawn — September 20, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Dawn, I am sorry for your loss. I saw you read my description. I will reply to your comment there.
Comment by Rob — September 20, 2007 @ 9:26 pm