A great weekend for debuts.
Matt Schneider (5th, 2:37:44) made Sioux Falls his first effort at 26.2 a learning experience. Ran 5:55 pace through 18 miles, including a 6 mile stretch where he used both hands to keep his hernia from popping out. There was also the matter of having to pass ~ 1200 half marathoners that started upstream, on a 6′-8′ path. The last 4 miles lagged a bit at 6:15 pace but the lessons learned were invaluable. Meghan Schneider (4th, 3:16:51) was outkicked in the last 100m to lose the $400 awarded for 3rd. A tremendous upside for both of them, a little R&R and we’ll see more of both as the fall progresses, I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts!
In the accompanying half marathon Andrew Jacob ran 1:17:24 and Matt Heesch ran 1:19:06.
The Fab 5 all made it through their IM debuts yesterday at the IronMan Wisconson. Michelle Reitz– 12:25:12, Sara Garcia– 12:39:23, Bob Harris– 14:25:52, Michelle Bandur– 14:45:24, Gina Morkel– 16:45:10. You are Iron Men and Women! I just can’t fathom how you can push yourselves to those limits, you are all truly amazing!
Matt Pohren set a new Northwest Missouri course record at Friday night’s 4 Mile XC race. He covered the difficult and hilly course in a blazing 20:54.
The Buffalo Run in Lincoln saw the mates taking many of the top spots. Bridget Easley (1st, 30:15) and Stacy Shaw (2nd, 32:24) took the honors for the women. On the men’s side, Tom Nichols (4th, 28:00), Brian Wandzilak (5th, 28:01), and Matt Seiler (6th, 28:28) all tackled the tough and hilly 5 mile classic. Brian Bergt ran 30:13 to win the 50+ division. Our TNB buddy Bryan Sypal had a nice run in 33:28.
Andrea Bowen’s winning time at the Midnight Run was a nice 17:56, she’ll bring that speed to the women’s race at this weekend’s Corporate Cup.
Speaking of which, a couple of our ringers recently turned in 4 X 3000m in 9:30 (3:00 recovery). 8 total miles well under 5:00 pace, this will be quite the show on Sunday.
Ran with John Seiler yesterday and he was inquiring as to Saturday’s column. Whom was it I was calling out he was wondering. Ambiguity, one of my sharpest tools. Of course the target of my words was myself. We all encounter that self doubt and fear associated with racing. I’m in a constant battle with my inner demons that try and convince me it is ok to just take it easy, try and have fun, enjoy the surroundings, etc. And that is all well and good in training, but not when the gun goes off. Real Racing is not supposed to be Fun and anyone that tells you that it is has already built in an excuse for defeat.
Just to keep you on your toes.
Jimmie Doherty, Josh Sawyer, and Agustin Delgado all finished in the top 10 Saturday and are all part of our Wednesday night track workouts. Giddyup!
I’m still searching for answers as to why I continue to train well and race poorly.
John Seiler has no such problems.
Neither does Daren Konda. Daren does a tremendous service to the Omaha running community with his administrative involvement in the Omaha Run Club and also is a stud runner.
About Author
